BUTLER TWP — The five candidates for Butler County Commissioner will debate Thursday night at an event sponsored by the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.

The debate will be at 6 p.m. at Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.

The five candidates are Republicans Leslie Osche of Butler Township and Kim Geyer of Adams Township, Democrats Jerry Johnston of Butler Township and Kevin Boozel of Mercer Township, and Green Party candidate Michael Bagdes-Canning of Cherry Valley.

They will face each other in the Nov. 3 election. The top three vote-getters will become commissioners and take office in January. Current commissioners Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton did not seek re-election, and Jim Eckstein lost his re-election bid.

The debate will be moderated by Ron Vodenichar, general manager and co-publisher of the Butler Eagle.

Candidates will get 2 minutes for an introduction. When asked a question, each candidate will get 3 minutes to answer, and the other four candidates will have 1 minute for a rebuttal if they choose to do so. Then, the candidates will get 2 minutes for a conclusion.

The last day to register to vote in this election is Monday.