HARRISBURG -- Three Allegheny County residents and one central Pennsylvanian whose law firm is based in Pittsburgh were the apparent victors in yesterday's Commonwealth Court primaries.

With more than 90 percent of votes counted, Patricia A. McCullough and Kevin Brobson were poised to win a three-way Republican primary last night. Meanwhile, Barbara Behrend Ernsberger and Linda S. Judson were leading the pack of six in the Democratic race.

Democrats Jimmy Lynn, Michael D. Sherman and Daniel K. Bricmont had the next highest vote totals, respectively. Stephen G. Pollock was trailing.

The top two vote getters in each primary race will face off in November for two seats on the bench.

No matter how the general election shakes out, Allegheny County stands to have greater representation on the statewide court.

Mrs. McCullough, 52, is from Upper St. Clair. Mrs. Ernsberger, 57, lives in Shadyside, and Ms. Judson, 50, in Squirrel Hill. Mr. Brobson, 38, lives in suburban Harrisburg but works for the Pittsburgh-based law firm Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney.

Mrs. McCullough served as an Allegheny County Common Pleas Court judge in 2005 but lost an election to a full 10-year term. She has served as executive director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, assistant general counsel for the University of Pittsburgh and chairwoman of the county's Board of Property Appeals. She is married to Charles McCullough, the Allegheny County councilman facing theft charges.

Mr. Brobson is on the Middle Paxton Township Planning Commission and is past president of Jump Street, a nonprofit community arts group.

Mrs. Judson, meanwhile, celebrated her primary victory last night with friends, family and campaign volunteers at her Squirrel hill home.

Mrs. Judson has been on the Pittsburgh Parking Authority for four years. Her legal work involves workplace safety and workers' compensation cases.

Mrs. Ernsberger is the first woman to serve as head of the Pittsburgh Democratic Committee. She recently resigned from the post so she could run for judge. She currently serves on the city's planning commission.

Commonwealth Court judges have jurisdiction over notable issues such as eminent domain, financial aid for injured workers, disputes over elections and civil actions against lawmakers. In addition, the court also hears appeals from the Common Pleas Courts.