Pa. high court nominees each raise $250K-plus

HARRISBURG (AP) — The nominees for an open seat on Pennsylvania’s high court are running about even in fundraising, even though one faced a contested primary.

The latest campaign finance reports show that Republican Joan Orie Melvin and Democrat Jack Panella each raised about $260,000 through early June. Both candidates sit on the state Superior Court.

Judge Melvin had to tap her war chest for a three-way battle in the May 19 primary and reported having about $97,000 on hand after that election.

Judge Panella’s cash balance was about $95,000.

The two will face off in the Nov. 3 general election for the state Supreme Court seat, along with nominees for open seats on the other two statewide appellate courts.