A Middlesex Township farmer is running a write-in campaign as a Republican candidate for Butler County commissioner.

Joe King, 56, is telling people to write his name in on the Republican ballot in the May 19 primary.

King, a semi-retired farmer and a part-time missionary, said he is running on a conservative spending, pro-gun, pro-natural resources, pro-faith and pro-work platform.

There are 10 GOP candidates for commissioner: James Butler, Kim Geyer, Jim Keffalas, Mark Lux, Lisa Metcalfe, Bob O’Neill, Leslie Osche, Jeff Smith, Larry Thompson and Justin Trainor. Only the top two candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Despite these other candidates, King is confident.

“I know I am going to win,” said King, citing his family’s long history in the county and his relationship with farmers.

If he does not win, he said he at least will try to get people motivated to make changes in government.

To be considered to appear on the ballot in the fall, King will have to get a minimum of 250 write-in votes in the primary, said Shari Brewer, county director of elections.

If he spends money on his campaign, he will have to file a campaign expenses report, Brewer said.