Please allow them to introduce themselves.

All 14 candidates for Butler County commissioner — 10 Republicans and four Democrats — are expected to take part in a forum Wednesday night in the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College. It will be an ideal opportunity to meet the individuals who want to run our county’s government for the next four years.

The May 19 primary election is exactly seven weeks away. The primary carries double importance this year; it will determine the Democratic and Republican ballots — two nominees each for three commissioners — for the Nov. 3 general election; and the races are wide-open — both incumbent commissioners in the Republican majority, Dale Pinkerton and Bill McCarrier, are not seeking re-election, while Democratic incumbent Jim Eckstein was passed over recently when county Democrats endorsed two other candidates.

In other words, with so many candidates in the field, the races could be close and turnout could be crucial.

Wednesday’s forum will be presented in two sessions:

• The four Democratic candidates will answer questions beginning at 5:30 p.m. They are Kevin Boozel, Dave Johnston, Jerry Johnston and Eckstein.

• The 10 Republicans will face off at 7:30. They are James Butler, Kim Geyer, Jim Keffalas, Mark Lux, Lisa Metcalfe, Bob O’Neill, Leslie Osche, Jeff Smith, Larry Thompson and Justin Trainor.

The public is invited to attend either forum, or both.

The Butler County Chamber of Commerce, the Butler Eagle and Armstrong Cable are sponsoring the event.

Stan Kosciuszko, chamber president, notes that the debate is an opportunity for businesses and the public to meet the candidates and get an impression of the leadership and vision of each.

Georgiann Kerr, chair of the Butler County Democratic Committee, say four candidates are enough to stretch the votes out.

“I think it will be close,” Kerr said. “The Democrats have to get out and vote.”

Ed Natali, chair of the Butler County Republican Committee, expects a close race, too.

Natali said the votes will be spread out with so many people running for commissioner.

“The top vote-getter could be under 4,000 votes, easy,” he said.

Natali stressed that’s why it’s important for people to vote in the primary.

One final note: The last day to register to vote in the primary is April 19. That’s less than three weeks away. Better not wait until then to register.