Robert Blankenship has announced his intent to seek a seat on the Butler County Commission.

Blankenship, who will run as a Democrat, is seeking the District 4 seat, which is currently held by Jimmy Crum.

“I’ve observed some areas in the county that need attention, and I’m the one that can take care of those issues,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship said his campaign is based on three words – learn, earn and return.

“I was raised in Butler County,” he said. “I was educated in Butler County. I am employed in Butler County. I want to give back to Butler County.”

If elected, Blankenship said education will be one of his top priorities.

“Educating our youth will increase their earning power, which will be an asset to our community,” he said. “If I’m elected to the commission I will seek ways to find more funding for the schools. I’ll seek out the appropriate channels and find out how those funds are made available to school and get involved in writing grants if that’s what it takes.”

Along with helping find increased funding for the school system, Blankenship said he would work to bring more jobs to the county.

Blankenship and his wife Sonya have two children.

He is a deacon at Bethlehem Baptist Church and works as the sales and marketing manager for Camellia Communications. He is a Greenville High School graduate and is active in the Civic League. He has also served as an official for recreation basketball games at Dunbar Recreation Center.