First-term Republican state Representative Jill Cooper has emerged victorious in the primary race for the 55th District in northern Westmoreland County, securing a commanding win over her opponent Jamie Lingg. The unofficial tally reveals that Cooper, 62, captured nearly 78% of the 7,576 votes cast, while Lingg garnered close to 22%. Cooper, a Murrysville resident, was initially elected to the House in 2022, bringing with her a background as vice president of sales and marketing for Alcoa. Lingg, on the other hand, won a seat on the Murrysville Council in 2021 and owns a graphic design business called Three Little Fishies.
In the absence of any Democrat candidates in the race, Cooper’s path to another term in the House appears clear. Reflecting on her primary victory, Cooper expressed her appreciation for the confidence her constituents have placed in her and her staff’s efforts. She remarked, “I’m extremely humbled. It’s very rewarding to have people at the polls recognize our hard work.” Cooper emphasized her commitment to maximizing the return on investment for her constituents, ensuring that their tax dollars are directed back to the district rather than being allocated solely to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia.
Cooper attributed her success in the primary to her bipartisan approach in Harrisburg, where she collaborates with Democrats on common issues while maintaining her conservative stance. She serves as co-chair of a bipartisan caucus with two Democratic colleagues alongside fellow Republican Jamie Flick (83rd District, Lycoming/Union). “People want their government to work,” Cooper stated. “That was the whole motivation for starting the bipartisan caucus. I’m uncompromising on my conservative values, but there are a lot of things we can agree on.” Cooper’s House committee assignments include aging and older adult services, education, housing and community development, and labor and industry.
During her campaign, Lingg expressed concerns about the representation of conservative values in Harrisburg, calling for action on the economy, ethics, education, and election integrity. She advocated for a greater emphasis on traditional educational approaches in schools, rather than prioritizing “social-emotional learning.” Cooper holds a bachelor’s degree in management engineering from Grove City College, while Lingg earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a specialization in genetics from Purdue University.
The 55th District encompasses Arnold, Avonmore, Bell Township, Delmont, Export, Loyalhanna, Murrysville, New Alexandria, New Kensington, Oklahoma, Salem, Upper Burrell, Washington, and portions of Derry Township and Lower Burrell.
