Margaret C. Abersold wants to be a judge in Butler County.

"My life philosophy is to treat individuals the way I want to be treated, and I would bring this philosophy to the bench," she said.

But first, the 48-year-old attorney from Middlesex Township must face five other competitors in the May primary.

The winner will replace Butler County Judge George Hancher, who is retiring this year.

Abersold, the final candidate to officially announce her intentions, plans a grass-roots, no-fund raising campaign she has entitled, "Family who know Family; Friends who know Friends; and Neighbors who know Neighbors."

After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with high honors, Abersold attended Temple University School of Law. She completed her last year of law school at Duquesne University, while she worked in the appellate division of the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.

For 16 years, Abersold has been an attorney in private practice. She also has been an arbitrator in Butler County.

Her practice encompasses adoption, administrative, bankruptcy, family, juvenile, wills and estates, unemployment, Social Security Disability; and Veterans Disability.

Abersold and her husband, Charles, are the parents of a daughter.

Outside of the law, Abersold's interests include running, cycling, hiking, camping and outdoor sports. For relaxation, she is a certified PIAA official for basketball and volleyball.

She is a Republican, but she cross-filed and will appear on both party ballots in the primary.