In a lottery held in Harrisburg Wednesday by the state Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, ballot positions were selected for candidates running for Mercer County Common Pleas Judge.

"I'm not a political person," said candidate Robert Kochems, "but I've been told the higher ballot position, the better." Kochems' name will appear in the third position on the Democratic ballot, and fourth on the Republicans.

In Pennsylvania, candidates for Common Pleas judges' seats file as candidates on both the Democratic and Republican party tickets.

Christopher St. John, who holds the sixth slot on the Democratic ballot and first position on the Republican ticket, said it would be interesting to see if the position makes any difference in the outcome of the primary.

"If a candidate obviously has the experience and credentials to do the job, I hope that would be more important than their position on the ballot," St. John said.

Candidates on the other end of the ballot, however, had somewhat of a different view point.

"I think I'll change my slogan to 'Keep Looking,'" said Joann Jofery. Ms. Jofery drew slot seven on the Democrat ticket and ninth on the Republican. "It could be worse -- I could have drawn ninth on both ballots."

The candidates, with their political affiliation, in the order they will appear:

   » On the Democrat ballot: Stephen Mirizio (D); James Goodwin (R); Robert Kochems (R); William McConnell, Jr. (R); John Reed (R); Christopher St. John (D); Joann Jofery (D); Margaret Lucas (D); James Nevant (D).

   » On the Republican ballot: St. John (D); Nevant (D); Mirizio (D); Kochems (R); Goodwin (R); William McConnell, Jr. (R); Reed (R); Ms. Lucas (D); Ms. Jofery (D)