Mercer voters pick a mix for commissioners' posts

The Republican candidates are already planning a team approach.
& lt;a href=mailto:gwin@vindy.com & gt;By HAROLD GWIN & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- Voters went for experience and new faces in picking their nominees for the post of Mercer County commissioner.
Tuesday's primary saw Democrats pick incumbent Olivia Lazor, 67, of South Pymatuning Township and political newcomer Brian Beader, 33, of Hermitage as their standard-bearers, while Republicans opted for newcomers Michele Brooks, 39, of Jamestown and George Pokrant, 37, of Grove City to represent them in the November general election.
The two Republican incumbents, Gene Brenneman and Kenneth Seamans, didn't run for re-election in Tuesday's primary.
"I'm thrilled and honored that George and I got elected," said Brooks.
Experience, commitment
Although she may be a new face in county politics, Brooks said she has governmental experience as a former Jamestown councilwoman. That and her commitment to county issues over the past decade made the difference with voters, she said.
"We're going to present a strong team," Brooks said, indicating she plans to link her fall campaign with that of Pokrant.
The two led a field of eight Republicans seeking two nominations.
Pokrant said he and Brooks will work together to ensure Republican victory in the fall but that they will also run their own campaigns.
He said his public and private sector experience as a Grove City councilman and a hospital administrator as well as his business background with a master's of business administration degree, made him a top candidate in the primary.
Democrats' side
Lazor focused her campaign on her 11 years of experience as a county commissioner and it paid off.
"Experience is critical," she said again after her primary win, explaining that voters supported her belief that you don't turn over a large corporation to novices to run.
She said her greatest hope is that she is doing the job of a public servant that people want her to do, and she pledged to continue to make decisions based on the needs of the people.
"We need some youth for the future," said Beader, explaining why he believes voters supported his bid for a Democratic nomination.
People believe in getting the younger generation involved, he said.
He credited his win to a lot of hard work in a grass-roots effort that required the support of a large family and a lot of friends.
He and Lazor led a field of four Democrats seeking two nominations but they haven't discussed working together as a team for the fall general election.
"We haven't talked about that yet," Lazor said, adding that she would like to take a team approach because it will show voters what the team will do if it wins control of the courthouse.