Experience was key in winning the race for Mercer judge

It was the first time in 50 years that Mercer County voters elected two judges.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- Atty. Christopher St. John thinks voters paid attention Tuesday to the type of experience the judicial candidates had in filling two common pleas seats in Mercer County.
St. John, who was the top vote-getter in the May primary and actually won both Democratic and Republican nominations for the post, repeated that performance in Tuesday's general election, easily outscoring his two opponents.
The major distinction between him and the other candidates has been his direct involvement in common pleas activities, St. John said, particularly in the area of criminal law.
Atty. John Reed of South Pymatuning Township, a Republican nominee, took the second post, defeating Atty. Stephen Mirizio of Farrell, a Democratic nominee, by more than 3,000 votes.
It's the first time in 50 years that Mercer County voters had the opportunity to elect two judges at one time.
New post created
Judge Michael Wherry is retiring, creating a vacancy, and the Pennsylvania Legislature created a fourth judicial seat in the county beginning in January.
The county is in the process of creating a fourth courtroom out of a former jury meeting room now, and it should be ready by the end of the year.
St. John, of Clark, is young enough at 51 to seek retention 10 years from now.
Reed, at 61, won't be able to complete his entire 10-year term because Pennsylvania judges must retire at the end of the year in which they turn 70.
Both St. John and Reed scored at the top in candidate ratings done by the Mercer County Bar Association, and both said they think that was a factor in their performance at the polls.
"All I can pledge is full and faithful performance of my duties," St. John said.
"They [voters] put their confidence in me and I'm not going to let them down," Reed vowed.
They will join President Judge Francis J. Fornelli and Judge Thomas Dobson on the bench.
Mirizio said he has no idea why his campaign was unsuccessful. A low voter turnout in Farrell, his home community where there were no local races, didn't help his cause, he said.
"I did what I think was necessary," he said. "It was a good race."
gwin@vindy.com