There were few surprises as candidates for county offices were required to file campaign finance reports by Friday that include financial activity for the reporting period of June 10 to Oct. 20.

Stephen Mirizio, a Democratic candidate for Mercer County Common Pleas judge, emerged as the king of fund-raisers among the three judicial candidates, although not without some significant help from himself.

Mirizio, 56, of Farrell, brought in $41,620 in contributions, although $25,500 of it was loans from himself to his campaign committee. He spent $40,621, and combined with money he had remaining from the last reporting period, Mirizio has $3,454 on hand.

He raised about $6,700 more and spent nearly $3,700 more than his two opponents -- Democrat Christopher St. John and Republican John Reed -- combined, according to the candidate's campaign finance reports.

Reed, 61, of South Pymatuning Township raised $20,225 ($9,000 from loans from himself to his committee), spent $22,862 and has $82 on hand.

St. John, 51, of Clark brought in contributions totalling $14,650 (including a $5,000 loan to his committee), spent $13,744 and has $3,016 available.

The trio are vying for two seats on the bench on Election Day, Nov. 4.

As for the five candidates for Mercer County commissioner -- Republicans George Pokrant and Michele Brooks, Democrats Olivia Lazor and Brian Beader, and Independent Daniel Berent -- fund raising and spending were fairly consistent across the board for the same reporting period, except for Berent.

Berent didn't enter the race until this summer as a write-in candidate, however, and vowed not to accept any campaign contributions. The $1,982 he raised came from a loan to himself.

The other candidates' numbers -- with dollars raised, spent and remaining -- were: