SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. (AP) – Two-term Rep. Rosemary “Rozo” McLaughlin has died at 54 from cancer.

McLaughlin had only recently been diagnosed, according to colleagues, and died Monday at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.

McLaughlin, a Democrat, was seeking a third term at the time of her death and her name will remain on ballots, which already have been printed and many of which have been cast in early voting. She faced Republican David Ainsworth.

If McLaughlin won, a vacancy would be created in the House and the governor would have to appoint a replacement after local party officials recommended candidates, said Secretary of State Deb Markowitz.

McLaughlin was a lifelong resident of Royalton, where she also had served on the Select Board and the South Royalton School board.

She is survived by her husband, Tom Wells, and daughter Katie Berk. Funeral arrangements were pending late Tuesday.