As results from municipality after municipality came into Democratic headquarters in the Sharpsville Veterans of Foreign Wars hall Tuesday night, Brian Beader became a little bit more animated.

Beader, a Democratic candidate for Mercer County Commissioner who was considered a longshot by many, surprised the political pundits by collecting the most votes in the race to earn a seat on the board.

Beader, 34, finished with 12,150 votes, or 24.7 percent, winning nearly every municipality. He will join another newcomer, Republican Michele Brooks, 39, of Jamestown, and three-term incumbent Olivia M. Lazor, 67, of South Pymatuning Township, on the board in January. The job pays $51,479 a year.

"I pulled it off," an elated Beader said. "It just goes to show what hard work can do. I knew I had great people supporting me. I'm very thankful of the work that all of the people gave to me and now it's time for me to work hard for the people."

Beader said he is the first Hermitage resident elected to the board since Lawrence Wilhelm finished four terms in office in 1968.

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