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Rep. Julie Plawecki, D-Dearborn Heights (left) speaks in support of more fracking regulation at a House Democratic press conference on Feb. 11, 2016.

(Emily Lawler | MLive.com)

LANSING, MI -- First-term state Representative Julie Plawecki, D-Dearborn Heights, is dead at age 54.

Sen. David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights, shared the news on Facebook late Saturday night.

"It is with a heavy heart and overwhelming sadness that I share the news of the passing of Representative Julie Plawecki," Knezek said.

"... Representative Plawecki was an absolutely outstanding public servant, beloved by all, and a fighter for her constituents," he said.

She died at 54, according to capitol news service Gongwer, but a cause of death is not immediately clear.

Plawecki served the state's 11th House District. Before becoming a representative she was a medical technologist and taught math, science and religion according to information posted on her official biography.

In the House she sponsored bills on environmental protection, health insurance, school funding and campaign finance.

She leaves behind husband Mark Plawecki -- a judge in Michigan's 20th District Court who recently suspended a campaign for Michigan Supreme Court justice -- and three daughters.

Julie Plawecki was running for reelection this fall. According to information from the Secretary of State's office, she was the only Democrat running for the 11th House District seat.

Emily Lawler is a Capitol reporter on MLive's statewide Impact Team. You can reach her at elawler@mlive.com, subscribe to her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter: @emilyjanelawler.