Election season is sooner than many realize. May 19 is the primary election here in Pennsylvania, while the midterm general election — shaping up to be a consequential one — is nearly six months out.

While the two major political parties prepare for a grueling election cycle this summer and fall, Butler County is starting to appear as a crucial region, rich in voters that could sway an election.

Republicans from Pennsylvania’s 12th House district gathered at the Adams Ridge Clubhouse Wednesday, April 29, to hear from candidates Ethan Nicholas and Scott Timko, who are vying to replace former Rep. Stephenie Scialabba in May’s primary election. Portraying themselves as solidly Republican, pro-Trump and fiscally conservative, they pitched their campaigns to residents while debating over small policy differences.

Beyond our local state House district, Butler County is starting to see an increased presence in statewide and federal campaigning.

On Wednesday, April 29, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity made a campaign stop at the Butler County GOP’s headquarters in Cranberry Township. Garrity currently is the only major Republican candidate for governor and is anticipated to take on incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, this November.

“I go to all 67 counties every single year … I’ve spent a lot of time in this area actually,” Garrity said. “We have this huge grassroots movement in Butler County. It’s one of those places I needed to stop and meet their committee.”

Meanwhile, the Mars Area Public Library hosted congressional candidate Justin Wagner for a meet and greet Wednesday evening. Wagner, a Democrat, is expected to run against the longtime Republican incumbent, Mike Kelly, R-16th, in November.

“I’m going all over the place. I’m in Butler County, Venango County, Mercer County, I’m having events everywhere,” Wagner said. “I really like the local communities here in Butler, and people here, and it’s important to have those interactions with people. If there’re questions, it’s important to be able and answer them.”

Pennsylvania often has some of the closest elections in the country. While governor and senate elections have fluctuated some, the past three presidential elections in Pennsylvania have each been decided by less than 2%.

And in Pennsylvania, Butler County has the ability to impact elections. The county is reliably red, with roughly 65% voting for Trump three times in a row. But the county is now estimated to have a population of over 200,000 residents, and any shift in margins could affect the outcome of an election.