MERCER COUNTY Voters get rare chance to elect 2 judges

Eight attorneys are vying for the judgeships, which pay $121,225 a year.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- For only the second time in Mercer County's 200-year history, voters will have the opportunity to pick two common pleas court judges in one year.
A combination of Judge Michael J. Wherry's decision not to seek retention for another 10-year term and the state's decision to add a fourth judicial seat for Mercer County this year resulted in two common pleas posts to be filled in 2003.
The other time there were two judicial seats open was in 1953 after the death of Judge George Rowley.
Like this time, the state had also created an additional judicial seat for the county (its second) that year, and Attys. Herman Rodgers and Leo McKay were appointed in 1954 to fill those seats.
Both men then ran successfully for election to their own 10-year terms in 1955.
Many candidates
The two seats up this year have brought out a wealth of candidates. There are eight attorneys vying for the spots, which carry a salary of $121,225.
There were nine candidates initially, but Atty. Robert G. Kochems withdrew after learning that his candidacy might put him in violation of the federal Hatch Act because some federal funds are used to fund the county district attorney's office, and he is an assistant D.A. His name won't appear on the ballot.
Some of the candidates are at the age where this may be their only shot at a common pleas post.
Judges in Pennsylvania must retire at age 70, and barring any unforeseen circumstances such as a death or resignation, there won't be another open judicial election in Mercer County until 2011, when President Judge Francis J. Fornelli's term expires and he will have to retire.
Judge Thomas R. Dobson's current term expires in 2005, and should he decide to stay in his post, he can seek retention for another 10-year term at that time. Under that circumstance, the seat won't be open for a general election.
All candidates have cross-filed on the May 20 primary ballot which means they will try to win nominations on both the Republican and Democrat tickets. Only judicial and school director candidates can file to run in both primaries in Pennsylvania.
Interest runs high
This judicial race has drawn a lot of interest with the candidates doing a lot of advertising in the form of signs, newspaper ads and even television and radio spots.
"They're advertising everywhere," said James Bennington, director of Mercer County's Office of Registration and Election.
If the advertising seems to skirt the issues, there's a good reason.
Judicial candidates, by state ethics rules, aren't allowed to discuss issues that they might be required to rule on later as a judge.
That basically leaves the candidates able to advertise experience.
The Mercer County Bar Association has tried to help, having its members rate the candidates based on each individual's personal and professional background and legal experience.
The candidates were rated as highly qualified, qualified or not qualified.
The bar association said that in a similar association ranking of candidates in the 1995 judicial race, Thomas R. Dobson was the highest rated candidate. He went on to win the election.