A torrential downpour might have kept political supporters and onlookers to a mere trickle, but those who braved the wet weather Tuesday were treated to the first debate involving all five candidates for Mercer County commissioner.

Democratic candidates Olivia Lazor and Brian Beader, Republican hopefuls George Pokrant and Michele Brooks, and independent Daniel Berent gathered in the Shenango Valley Mall in Hermitage to answer questions during a two-hour forum. The five are battling for three seats in the Nov. 4 election.

All five answered questions from the public for much of the day as part of the mall's "Candidates Day" program and then fielded questions from The Herald and moderator Joe Biro of WPIC radio.

The candidates also faced inquiries from a few members of the audience.

After a short opening statement, the candidates touched on a variety of issues in response to questions. A few issues seemed to raise the hair on the backs of the necks of the candidates. Among the more contentious were: the Oakland Avenue Viaduct in Sharon, taxes, the property tax assessment ratio change that allowed the county to raise taxes two years in a row, and economic development.

Regarding the controversial stalled bridge project in Sharon, the contenders were nearly unanimous in their belief that there should have been some accountability for the project that has sat partly completed for nearly two years.

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