A marketing coordinator for Butler County Community College is the second Democratic candidate for county commissioner in the 2015 primary.

Jerry Johnston, 65, of Butler Township is seeking one of two Democratic nominations in the May primary.

Johnston is the marketing coordinator for the college’s off campus locations and a freelance commercial and voice actor in radio and television.

He said he wants to stop the circus that county government has become and to focus on issues, referring to the dissension among the current commissioners.

“I haven’t heard anybody in the last three years talking about economic development and jobs,” Johnston said.

He said while there is progress on those fronts in the county, more could be done.

“It’s still a big issue,” Johnston said. “In my book, it’s number one.”

He said a commissioner should be able to debate using facts and logic without resorting to name-calling or exhibit erratic behavior.

“We can have fundamental disagreements,” Johnston said.

He said his goal is to help the county, not become a lifelong politician.

This is his second attempt to win a Democratic seat on the board. He lost to Commissioner Jim Eckstein in the 2011 election.

Johnston formerly was a career coach at BC3, helping people learn new skills and find jobs. He also has held music and news director posts at radio stations.

His prior jobs included being a youth care worker for Adelphoi Village at the Butler YMCA and being the public affairs and advertising manager at the North Telephone Co. in Gibsonia.

Johnston is on the Butler City Parking Authority board.

He also was a past board member for Butler Little Theatre and the United Way of Butler County as well as a past president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.

Johnston has a master’s degree in writing and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Slippery Rock University.

Johnston, who lives in the township with his wife, Denise, is the second Democrat to announce his candidacy. Kevin Boozel also is vying for a nomination.

Although Eckstein has not officially announced a re-election bid, he has publicly said he intends to do so.