Age: 64

Party: Republican

Resides in: Hamilton

Profession: County commissioner; retired Hamilton police officer

Key issue in race: "The most important issue is finances, because of the cuts we're expecting from the state, and have received from the state. We've really had to watch our budget, because we want to maintain our good bond rating."

James Lubbers

Age: 60

Party: Democrat

Resides in: Fairfield Township

Profession: Heating and air-condition instructor at Butler Tech; retired climate-control technician from Procter & Gamble Co.

Key issue in race: "We need citizen representation on the county commission, not just career politicians. I do not intend to be a career politician at age 60."

Michael A. Fox

Age: 55

Party: Republican

Resides in: Fairfield Township

Profession: Small-business owner, marketing and distribution business

Key issue in race: "We must create more good jobs, promote economic development and help existing businesses grow and compete, while managing tax dollars wisely, maintaining low taxes and low per-capita expenditures; continuing to make Butler County a good place to live, work, and raise a family by promoting balanced growth and conservative values."

Catherine Stoker

Age: 60

Party: Democrat

Resides in: West Chester Township

Profession: President of Brite Belt Technologies, a customized software consulting firm.

Key issue in race: "We need fiscal responsibility because the county is continuing to increase spending. We also need more openness in government. It's ridiculous for commissioners to approve 50 resolutions as a group in a meeting without discussing any of them. Each one should have been discussed."

J. Michael Best

Age: 57

Party: Republican, but running as an independent

Resides in: Fairfield

Profession: Researcher, Procter & Gamble Co.

Key issue in race: "The county needs to reduce spending wherever possible, including travel, and stay within set spending limits. There should be an incentive program for employees to report waste in their department, or elsewhere in the county."

Greg Jolivette

Age: 52

Party: Republican

Resides in: Hamilton

Profession: Owner of Jolly's Drive-In

Key issue in race: "It's experience. We need someone with experience with county and city budgets because budgets will be tight. And we need someone who can go to Columbus, and knows the legislators, to make sure local government funds aren't cut."

Rusty Thomas

Age: 29

Party: Democrat

Resides in: Hamilton

Profession: Attorney

Key issue in race: "The No. 1 concern for any commissioner has to be budgetary concerns. If funds aren't there to provide basic county services that everyone needs, then you've failed in your job."