It didn't take long for Daniel J. Berent to face -- and successfully weather -- his first test as an independent candidate for Mercer County Commissioner.

Berent, 46, of Shenango Township had to do some scrambling just to beat Friday's deadline to get his name on the ballot for the Nov. 4 general election.

Berent said he delivered Wednesday what he thought were the 135 signatures he needed to get his name on the ballot, only 48 hours before the deadline, but was told at the Election Office he actually needed 350.

"It was an honest mistake on their part, but it forced me to scramble," Berent said Friday.