Primary Election Preview: Rep. Bud Cook facing primary challenge in quest for 4th term

By KRISTIE LINDEN
For the MVI
The 50th Legislative District has only been part of the Mon Valley since redistricting moved most former 49th District municipalities into the newly created 50th.
Along with that shift, state Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run Township, was moved from the 49th to the 50th and secured reelection to that seat in 2022. Cook was first elected to the seat in the 49th District in November 2016.
In Tuesday’s primary election, Cook will be challenged by fellow Republican Stephanie Waggett of Carmichaels, who is a registered nurse and a former plant administrator at Fayette Energy.
Cook is seeking another term because he believes the job is all about performance.
“Since day one, this has been about doing the best job I could to represent my bosses, the constituents of the 49th and now the 50th Districts of the Commonwealth,” Cook said.
Waggett wants to become a state Legislator because she wants her two children to be able to grow and prosper in this area, but worries that a diminishing population could lead them to look elsewhere in the future. She said it’s a concern she shares with many residents.
“District 50 needs a representative that will not only work hard but will listen to the constituents that they represent and take that insight to Harrisburg to be their voice and improve the lives of over 60,000 residents,” Waggett said. “It’s time the people of the 50th District had a state Representative they can be proud of.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Thursday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com