Republican incumbent Dave Maple will take on Democratic candidate Robert Steve Vukelic next Tuesday in the second race for county commissioner.


Maple has been in office for two terms and said he and the other commissioners have accomplished a lot.


"We were able to do things in a way that we lowered debt, we improved our bond rating, and we got numerous projects -- the 911 center, the animal shelter, industrial park growth, airpark growth," Maple said.


Maple said it wasn't easy.


"We've had a rough economy on the national front, a rough economy and budgeting challenges on the state front, but here in the county, we were able to overcome a lot of those challenges," he said.


But he said he is ready to face those challenges for four more years. He said the group's progress with the oil and gas industry and helping to bring other businesses into the county is his biggest running point.


Maple's opponent, Democratic candidate Robert Steve Vukelic, narrowly got the nomination back in May.


In previous interviews with NEWS9, he has said he plans to clean up the county. However on Wednesday, he said because of a serious illness in the family, the campaign is not his main focus.


Some people say his past is a problem. Vukelic spent several months in a federal prison back in 2001, and that could hinder him if he wins, since a felon can't take office.


He said the election will be what it will be.