Two Republicans were poised to secure both open seats on the Commonwealth Court.

With 96 percent of the vote counted, Pittsburgh area attorney Patricia McCullough and Harrisburg attorney Kevin Brobson were leading the pack of four candidates with 28 percent and 26 percent respectively. They were ahead of two Pittsburgh Democrats, Linda Judson (23.2 percent) and Barbara Behrend Ernsberger (22.9 percent).

"It's an honor to be selected to serve on this very important court," Mr. Brobson said. "I view this as one of the greatest privileges in my career."

A practicing attorney at the Harrisburg offices of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Mr. Brobson, 38, has focused primarily on state administrative law. His experience has included work with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, the Department of Revenue and the Gaming Control Board.

He has appeared before the Commonwealth Court repeatedly over the past 15 years.

Ms. McCullough, 52, of Upper St. Clair, led all candidates for the race late last night.

Formerly the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Ms. McCullough has been working in private practice.

In March 2005, she was appointed as a family court judge in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas for nine months. She ran unsuccessfully in the November 2005 general election for a seat on that bench.

She also previously served as a member of the Allegheny County Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review from 2000 to 2005.

She could not be reached for comment last night.

Ms. McCullough's husband, Allegheny County Councilman Charles P. McCullough, is currently charged with defrauding an elderly woman whom he represented out of $200,000.

One of the allegations against him is that he wrote a $10,000 check to Catholic Charities while his wife worked there to help the charity meet a fundraising goal.

Created by the Constitutional Convention of 1968, the Commonwealth Court handles cases that involve Pennsylvania as a party.

Its jurisdiction includes appeals from state administrative agencies, like worker's compensation and unemployment, as well those from common pleas courts that involve state or local governments.

In addition, the Commonwealth Court serves as a trial court for lawsuits filed by or against state agencies.

There are nine seats on the Commonwealth Court. In 2008, a total of 4,027 cases were filed in that venue.

Commonwealth Court judges earn an annual salary of $175,923.

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