CRANBERRY TWP — The four candidates for Butler County commissioner running in the May 19 Democratic primary had their chance to speak out on Wednesday night.

After the 10 Republican candidates spoke at the forum at the township municipal center, the Democrats got their turn to make a case for themselves to the audience.

Incumbent Commissioner Jim Eckstein, Dave Johnston, Jerry Johnston and Kevin Boozel introduced themselves and shared their qualities that each said would make them the best choice for commissioner.

The top two Democratic vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.

Eckstein said he has a fiscally conservative track record, and that current commissioners Dale Pinkerton and Bill McCarrier are tax and spend politicians.

He said if re-elected, he will continue to vote against multimillion dollar building projects. Eckstein added that unlike Pinkerton or McCarrier, he does not use the county’s health care or pension plan

Eckstein, who has been criticized for his behavior as a commissioner, went after Republican candidate James Butler, who he said “personified the opinions of others about me” in the previous candidates forum.

Eckstein said he has only met Butler twice, and that while Butler was elected as Prospect’s mayor by one write-in vote, he was elected to his commissioner seat by more than 4,000 votes.

Eckstein said unlike the other Democratic or Republican candidates, he attended county commissioner meetings for more than four years before being elected.

“The electorate didn’t buy a pig in a poke when you got me,” Eckstein said.

Dave Johnston, who has been the county planning director for 20 years, said the four most pressing issues facing the county are infrastructure needs, emergency services needs, the new multimillion dollar 911 radio system that will be required by 2018, and economic development.

Johnston said he had planned to retire in June, but was so disturbed at events on the county level that he decided to throw his hat in the ring.

He also alluded to the disruptive nature of the commissioner meetings.

“The taxpayers of this county deserve better, and they demand it,” Johnston said.

He said his experience as county planning director and his involvement with the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, which has created a number of business parks in the county during his tenure, make him a good choice for commissioner.

Jerry Johnston, a marketing coordinator for Butler County Community College, said fiscal restraint, putting resources in the correct places, and eliminating county debt are serious issues in the county.

“We need new and fresh eyes on the problems and issues that we face,” Johnston said.

He also said while the county has benefited from the impact fees paid by shale gas drillers, those drillers must be held accountable for any pollution or problem caused by their activities.

Johnston also pointed to combating drugs, pushing for infrastructure improvements, and restoring dignity to the office of commissioner as important issues.

“We must restore respect and decorum to our county government,” Johnston said. “That is first and foremost.”

Kevin Boozel is the project manager for a free resource and information hub through the United Way of Allegheny County, and the president of the county Fire Chiefs Association.

Boozel said making sure the county’s seniors are treated fairly, emergency services, community economic development and exercising care in making budget cuts are among his top priorities.

Boozel said the county should seek private and nonprofit funds to keep the senior centers open.

Regarding the county, he said future financial stability should be carefully considered.

“We have drilling (funds), but those are short-term fixes,” Boozel said. “We need long-term solutions.”