Mar 27, 2011 By Amy Revak 3 min read

A South Connellsville insurance/investment agent who three times previously sought the office of Fayette County commissioner is again seeking the position.

Dave Lohr has announced that is seeking one of two Republican nominations for commissioner in the May 17 municipal primary.

“I’m an eternal optimist. I believe we can do better. My goal for the county is to make tomorrow better and I think I can do that with my background of running businesses and knowing people,” Lohr said.

He added that he wouldn’t engage in a negative campaign.

Lohr is one of three people who are seeking two Republican nominations. The other two candidates are incumbent Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink and Dunbar Township business owner Marilyn Cellurale.

Lohr said the commissioners never have been leaders trying to attract businesses to the area in a united front.

“I think businesses want to see party leadership and want to see county commissioners as a unified body going after businesses and growth,” Lohr said. “Everything turns partisan.”

Lohr said he thinks that elected officials sometimes lose track of why they are in office.

“A real leader is a servant and is there to serve others and not themselves,” Lohr said.

Lohr said he believes commissioners must be major players in the economic growth of the county and be highly active in that quest. He said commissioners should make the face of the county “friendly and proud.”

He also said he would battle state and federal mandates that add more government in people’s lives and is a strong advocate of smaller government. Lohr said he also fight any new taxes or fees that are not critically needed.

“There should be no changes in laws for three to five years so people can rebuild their lives with no more surprises from the government,” Lohr said.

Lohr said he would work to organize groups across the state to eliminate property taxes and replace it with a flat sales tax.

“No one should ever lose their property due to taxes,” Lohr said.

Lohr is a 1975 graduate of Connellsville Area High School. He attended Asbury Bible College and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1981 to 1985 and has been self-employed since 1985 as an insurance agent and an investment representative with Woodbury Financial in Woodbury, Minn.

He is an active member of Connellsville Alliance Church and a board member of Penn Highlands Teens for Christ.

Lohr said he has been active with the Fayette County Republican Party since 1993, and in addition to seeking the office of commissioner, he has assisted others who have been candidates for various elected positions.

Lohr, 54, is married to Gretchen Killinger Lohr and is a son of the late Homer Rodney and Alice Ritenour Lohr. He has a sister, Linda Lohr.