Ryan Mackenzie Wins Special Election for Reichley Seat

Republican Ryan Mackenzie won the Special Election for the 134th state House seat, defeating Democrat Patrick Slattery in the race to serve out the remaining eight months in Doug Reichley's term.

Mackenzie had 59 percent of the vote to Slattery's 41 percent in the Special Election, according to unofficial tallies posted on wfmz.com. Mackenzie had 5,495 votes, while Slattery had 3,869 votes, with 94 percent of the precincts reporting.

But Tuesday's Special Election was only half the battle.

In the Primary, Mackenzie and Slattery both won their party's nominations for a new two-year seat and will square off again in the November general election.

Mackenzie, 29, of South Whitehall, handily won the Republican Party's nomination in the Primary over Arlene Dabrow. Mackenzie received 86 percent of the votes to Dabrow's 14 percent, according to wfmz.com.

Slattery, 41, of Lower Macungie, was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Slattery said he was extremely disappointed with the results in the Special Elecion, according to a report in The Morning Call. He said he had worked "incredibly hard" but his supporters had not all shown up at the polls.

Mackenzie attributed his win to his campaign's focus on key issues such as the economy, the report said. 

The 134th state House seat became vacant after Reichley, a Republican, was elected a Lehigh County judge last November.