Some influential Pennsylvania politicos are lending a hand to two candidates for judicial office this weekend.

Private fundraising receptions will be held for Democratic Supreme Court candidate Kevin Dougherty and Democratic Superior Court candidate Alice Beck Dubow.

Dougherty, a Philadelphia County Court Judge, is already likely to be a front-runner in the Democratic field. His brother, John Dougherty, is business manager of the Philadelphia local union of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, giving Dougherty an advantage in fundraising.

Three prominent Allegheny government officials — Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Treasurer John Weinstein and District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. — will host a reception for Dougherty on Saturday evening. The private event held at the Common Plea Restaurant in Pittsburgh will include hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

Including Pittsburgh, Allegheny County is the second most populated county in the state. Endorsements from Fitzgerald, Weinstein and Zappala could boost Dougherty’s support base in the region.

For Supreme Court candidates, fundraising events like this are particularly important. Both Republican and Democratic operatives told The Morning Call last week that a candidate would need to raise at least $500,000 to win one of the top three coveted spots to advance past the May 19 primary.

Dougherty joins five other declared Democratic candidates: Superior Court Judge Christine Donohue, Jefferson County Common Pleas Court Judge John Foradora, Superior Court Judge Anne Lazarus, Superior Court Judge David Wecht and Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Dwayne Woodruff.

Alice Beck Dubow

Dubow, a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge, is receiving help from David Cohen in her pursuit of a Superior Court position.

Former Chief of Staff to Governor Ed Rendell and now Executive Vice President of Comcast, Cohen has been an influential figure in Pennsylvania politics for years.

In April 2014, he was named the third most powerful person and the No. 1 “Connector” in Philadelphia Magazine’s “75 Most Influential People Right Now” list.

Cohen will host an invitation-only brunch fundraiser for Dubow at his house in Philadelphia on Sunday morning. The invitation divides donations into three contribution levels: Supporter at $500, Friend at $700 and Patron at $1,000.