The Butler County planning director is the latest candidate for county commissioner.

Dave Johnston, 59, of Saxonburg announced today he is seeking one of two Democratic nominations in the May 19 primary.

Johnston said his government experience, which includes the past 20 years working for the county, make him suited for the post.

“I feel I’m very qualified based on 36 years of county and municipal service,” he said.

Before working for the county, Johnston worked for Cranberry Township, Cranberry Township in Venango County and McCandless.

He might not retire as county planning director while running for office.

“I haven’t made that decision yet,” Johnston said.

He cited his familiarity with both rural and urban planning as an asset.

If elected, Johnston would emphasize the need for road and bridge work.

“Especially in a growing area like Butler, we need to keep up with the infrastructure,” he said.

Johnston has worked with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Planning & Development Commission and the state Department of Transportation in prioritizing road and bridge projects in the county.

He also helped get economic development funding for municipalities through SPC.

Johnston said the county is beginning to lose its edge by not creating more business parks.

He is on the Community Development Corporation business park committee, which developed the Victory Road Business Park in Clinton Township, the AC Valley Industrial Park and the Kriess Road Business Park in Connoquenessing Township.

Along with bringing in new business, Johnston said the county needs to work closely with Butler County Community College and Slippery Rock University to help train a local work force.

He also would focus on affordable housing and senior issues.

“That’s a growing segment of the population,” Johnston said.

He decided to run for commissioner after witnessing the dissension among board members during this term.

“I’m concerned about the path the county has taken in the last several years in terms of the lack of professionalism and respect,” Johnston said.

He is a 1974 graduate of Butler High School and has a bachelor’s degree in geography with a concentration in rural/urban planning from SRU, where he played football.

Johnston is an officer on the Washington 1753 Trail Committee as well as a member of the Butler Elks, the Saxonburg VFW and the Lyndora Legion.

He served on the Butler YMCA Board, the Moraine Preservation Fund committee and the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame committee.

Johnston also was the secretary for the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department in Oil City.

He lives in the borough with his wife, Nancy. They have three grown children and a grandson.

Johnston is the fourth Democrat in the race. Along with incumbent Jim Eckstein, Kevin Boozel and Jerry Johnston are running.

Seven Republicans are seeking the Republican nominations — Kim Geyer, Jim Keffalas, Bob O’Neill, Leslie Osche, Lisa Metcalfe, Jeff Smith and Larry Thompson.

Incumbent GOP commissioners Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton are not running for re-election.