The cash is flowing into the two-way race for Pennsylvania's highest court.

Campaign finance reports on file yesterday showed Democrat Jack Panella and Republican Joan Orie Melvin pulled in more than $2.5 million this year through Oct. 19 -- two weeks before Tuesday's election.

Both candidates are judges on the state Superior Court.

Judge Panella took in $667,000 during the recent five-week reporting period, pushing his total for the year to $1.8 million. Judge Melvin collected less than half that much in the latest period and has raised about $725,000 this year.

In the latest reporting period, both candidates received five-figure contributions from trial lawyer groups. Judge Panella also received heavy financial support from organized labor and elected Democrats such as Gov. Ed Rendell.

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