A former Butler School Board member and former Butler County jury commissioner is the first Republican to enter the 2015 county commissioners race.

Larry Thompson, 61, of Oakland Township said he’s running for commissioner because holding an elected office is a public service.

“It’s an honorable institution,” Thompson said.

He said the current board is known for the commissioners being unable to work together.

“Three years of political grandstanding and infighting,” Thompson said.

He wants to bring civility back to county government.

“I want to restore good order to that honorable office,” Thompson said.

He cited his lengthy political service making him a qualified candidate for the post.

Along with being a jury commissioner and a school board member, Thompson served as a Center Township supervisor, a township committeeman and a GOP state committee member representing Butler County.

After leaving the jury commissioner post, Thompson was appointed the first deputy in the county row office of register of wills/clerk of orphans’ court.

If elected, Thompson said he would use the “bully pulpit” to support the Butler County Drug Task Force’s efforts as well as secure funding for the war on drugs.

He also would push for a comprehensive and sustained educational initiative aimed at reducing the demand for illegal drugs.

Thompson seeks a unified plan for community and economic development.

“I believe there has to be cooperation between the private and public sectors,” he said.

Thompson is a military veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1974.

In 1975, Thompson entered the Air Force reserves. He retired from the service in 1991.

He has an associate degree in criminology from Butler County Community College in 1977.

Thompson worked 31 years for Armco/AK Steel Butler Works.

Thompson lives in the township with his wife, Darcy.