MERCER COUNTY | Commissioner

Five candidates are vying for three positions as Mercer County commissioner in the Nov. 4 election, including incumbent Daniel J. Berent. (* denotes incumbent; # did not submit a photograph)
OLIVIA M. LAZOR *(D)
Age: 64
Home: South Pymatuning Township
Employment: Mercer County commissioner since 1992
Education: Graduate of Sharpsville High School; magna cum laude graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor's degree in education; postgraduate credits in education and business
Family: Husband, Edward; a son and a daughter; three grandchildren
Priority: "To increase productivity in county operations, foster economic development and human services and monitor ongoing county construction projects."
BRIAN BEADER (D)
Age: 34
Home: Hermitage
Employment: Business representative for Local 712 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Education: Graduate of Hickory High School; graduate of the National Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Center in Beaver, Pa.
Family: Wife, Kimberly; a son and two daughters
Priority: "To work closely with local officials to facilitate sewer projects needed for economic development, particularly along the Interstate 80 and 79 corridors that pass through the county."
MICHELE BROOKS (R)
Age: 39
Home: Jamestown
Employment: Grant writer and nonprofit consultant
Education: Graduate of Jamestown High School and Anne Anstine Excellence in Leadership and Public Service Educational Program
Family: Husband, Guy; a son and a daughter
Priority: "To put Mercer County at the front of the line for growth and grant money, provide a county that people can afford to live in and encourage multi-municipal collaboration to expand economic growth."
GEORGE POKRANT (R)
Age: 38
Home: Grove City
Employment: Regional administrator for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Education: Graduate of Grove City High School and Sharon Regional Health System's School of Nursing; bachelor's degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University; master's in business administration from Youngstown State University.
Family: Wife, Terry; a daughter and three sons.
Priority: "More jobs for Mercer County and preventing tax increases."
DANIEL J. BERENT #
Age: 46
Home: West Middlesex
Employment: Founder and chief executive officer of Regenex Corp., a plastic recycling and manufacturing company
Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, master's in business administration, both from the University of Michigan
Family: Wife, Barbara; a son and a daughter
Priority: "To foster economic development and the creation of jobs, be creative in distinguishing Mercer from other counties and help create a series of public/private business incubators."