Ben Smith

City business owner Ben Smith announced his candidacy for mayor of Butler, providing opposition for incumbent mayor Tom Donaldson in the Republican primary.

Smith, 29, is a co-owner of Reclamation Brewing in Butler.

“I think we need somebody that’s got a strong business mind, that’s been through the process of starting and running a business here in town,” Smith said.

Smith, born in Ohio and raised in Kittanning, visited Butler often while growing up and has lived in Butler since 2014. He said a primary focus of his campaign will be strengthening the city’s business base.

“Part of what I want to do is see more businesses in the city directly,” he said. “Not only, ‘Hey, if you’re going to come, we’ll help you out,’ but go out and find businesses for the city and have citizens of the city recruit them into spaces that we have available.”

Smith said that while there are organizations such as the Butler AM Rotary Club and the Butler County Chamber of Commerce in place, the city lacks an integrated business network directly tied to it.

“I think a central figure to communicate to the businesses, to bring them together, I think that’s important to have someone who’s able to do that,” he said.

He spoke of Main Street as a current hot spot for local businesses.

“I think there’s a good network of businesses on Main Street developing,” Smith said. “There are more people moving into the city and buying homes. Homeownership needs to continue to go on the rise.”

Smith said that as homeownership and businesses improve the city, crime will drop off.

“The more businesses you bring in, the more homeowners you bring in, the more you push out the more nefarious types — the drug dealers, the criminals,” he said.

Smith said another focal point of his candidacy will be how he would deal with public services such as the fire and police departments.

“The fire and police departments have been interfered with in the past with the leadership,” he said. “I think they need to be given the support they need to function efficiently. They need to be given reign over their departments.”

Smith also commented on what kind of role a mayor should play.

“The mayor needs to be able to work together (with people) rather than being divisive,” he said.

This is Smith’s first time running for office in a municipal position. He was student body president for two years while attending Penn State New Kensington.

While in that position, he organized student clubs and events and was on hiring committees for university employees and professors.

He also was part of a group that helped renovate homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and he participates in Butler Downtown’s annual cleanup day of the city.

Smith commented on his opposition.

“I think Mayor Donaldson has done some things well,” he said. “I think there are other things that can be improved upon and can continue to be worked on.”

The first day for mayoral candidates to circulate and file nominating petitions is Tuesday. They must have 100 signatures to be eligible to run for mayor of Butler.

The last day to register to vote in the primary is April 17. The primary will be May 16.