The Butler County Republican Committee is conducting an endorsement meeting March 20 at a time and location to be determined.

Republican County Chairman Al Lindsay said this will be the first time that local and county GOP candidates will have the opportunity to participate in the endorsement process.

Candidates for Butler County Court of Common Pleas, clerk of courts, county controller, coroner, sheriff and magisterial district judges will be considered for endorsement.

“Our goal has always been to encourage good people to run for office and get them elected,” Lindsay said.

He said the process gives candidates an opportunity to receive the endorsement.

“It is no longer a matter of who you know or how many influential backers you have,” Lindsay said. “If you get 60% of the votes, you are our candidate.”

He said candidates will be given contact information for committee members, and they should contact each member.

“The committee people have been informed that they should expect to be solicited for their vote by candidates for various offices,” he said.

A candidate must be nominated and seconded to obtain an endorsement. Each candidate will be given the opportunity at the meeting to speak for three minutes.

To obtain the endorsement, candidates must receive 60% of the votes of those present to win a nomination. If there are two candidates for a position, and neither candidate obtains the 60% vote, both candidates may be considered as “recommended,” Lindsay said.

Candidates are urged to provide resumes and campaign statements.