Two Republican candidates will compete in the May 16 primary election for a seat on the Middlesex Township board of supervisors.

Former supervisor David J. McMaster is running against incumbent David Brash for one six-year term.

The candidate who receives the most votes in the primary will proceed to the November ballot. No Democratic candidates are running for the seat.

McMaster is a retired electrical engineer who lives in Valencia.

He is both a past member of the township’s zoning hearing board and a previous township supervisor. He said he has continued to attend township meetings to remain informed on issues in the municipality.

“I want to have an opportunity to serve the residents of the township, to be a voice for those residents who feel alienated by local government,” McMaster said. “I also want to have a vote on implementing the zoning changes needed after the comprehensive plan is updated.”

If elected, McMaster said he would prioritize setting clear goals for the future of the township.

“I would like to assist the residents in establishing goals for the future development of the township and would like to utilize the expertise and ideas of the residents to preserve open space, farmland and our vital natural resources like Glade Run Lake,” he said. “I would also educate the residents on the importance of staying current with the zoning ordinances.”

He emphasized that residents should be aware of ordinances before they are passed.

Managing development, he said, is the No. 1 issue facing the township.

“Updating the comprehensive plan and changing the zoning ordinances to reflect the plan would be numbers two and three,” he said.

As a former member who helped implement the township’s 2004 comprehensive plan, he hopes to bring his experience to that process.

“Without a plan and continued input from the residents, the township has no direction,” he said. “If you do not like the direction of your township, you need to get involved to change the direction.”

Brash is an incumbent township supervisor. His term ends Dec. 31. He did not respond to the Eagle’s election preview questionnaire.