A decorated Air Force veteran is the latest entry in a growing field of candidates for Butler County commissioner.

Justin Trainor, 32, of Penn Township announced Saturday he is seeking one of two Republican nominations in the May 19 primary.

Trainor, who was awarded the Bronze Star for valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, is a second-generation owner of the Hardwood Cafe on Route 8 in Penn Township.

He said his concern for the county, which intensified after speaking with residents and watching televised commissioner meetings, led him to run.

“I just want the county to continue to grow and a young, fresh perspective can only help that,” Trainor said.

He said his business background and military experience make him qualified for the post.

After his time on a joint special operations task force, he was a government liaison and budgeting specialist for the military working with local and state government officials.

Trainor was responsible for a multimillion dollar operating budget in that military role.

If elected, he would come up with a plan to operate the county efficiently, meeting department heads and row officers for better coordination.

Along with government and fiscal experience, Trainor cited the leadership skills he honed in the military as another qualification for the elected post.

According to Trainor, the job of a commissioner is to attract new business by promoting the county.

“The commissioners can act as salespeople for Butler County,” he said. “It can’t be anything but a win for us.”

Trainor also wants the county to work more closely with law enforcement and community groups to fight the drug problem.

He stressed he would have an open-door policy for employees, department heads and elected officials.

Trainor said he would work with anyone who would be elected commissioner.

“I would be happy to work with both sides of the aisle,” he said.

Trainor is a 2001 graduate of Knoch High School and has a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Duquesne University.

He served in the military from 2001 to 2006.

Trainor is a varsity and junior varsity lacrosse coach at Knoch High School.

He is the eighth GOP candidate for commissioner, joining Kim Geyer, Jim Keffalas, Lisa Metcalfe, Bob O’Neill, Leslie Osche, Jeff Smith and Larry Thompson.

Incumbent Republican commissioners Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton are not running for re-election.

Four Democrats, including incumbent Commissioner Jim Eckstein, are seeking nominations. Kevin Boozel, Dave Johnston and Jerry Johnston are the other three candidates.

The top two vote-getters on both sides of the ballot make it past the primary to run in the November general election. Three commissioners will be elected to serve as the next board.