Two more candidates have stepped forward and announced for the Republican nomination for District #3 county commissioner.

They are Dr. Roger Bentley and Jonathan "Mark" Roeber.

Both announced their candidacy during the Feb. 7 Republican caucuses.

Dr. Bentley is a chiropractor who has farmed in the Peach Valley area since 1993. He has lived in this area since 1963 when his parents moved here and began farming near Montrose. He graduated from Montrose High School.

Bentley has been a member of the Delta County Planning Commission for six years and was recently appointed to a second six-year term on that board.

The other newly announced candidate is Paonia resident Jonathan "Mark" Roeber. In an e-mail to caucus participants, Roeber said, "The Roeber family has owned and operated their family ranch, in Delta County, for 123 years."

He has been an active partner on Mt. Lamborn Ranches in Paonia since 1980 and is co-owner of Homestead Meats in Delta and Paonia. He and his wife Jody have four children.

The two new candidates join Bob Stechert, a Rogers Mesa orchardist and attorney, in the quest for the party nomination.

Stechert declared his candidacy in November. A Colorado native, he has been a Delta County resident since 2000. He is a former member of the Delta County School Board and has two children.

In District #2, Bruce Hovde of Cedaredge has announced his intention to run for re-election. The former farmer and businessman was elected four years ago on a platform of fiscal responsibility, increased communication between citizens, municipalities, and the county, and improved roads. Going forward, his goals are business retention, job creation, and helping our small businesses by encouraging people to shop locally.

The Delta County Republicans will hold their county assembly on March 24. Any candidate for the party nod who gets 30 percent or more of the local delegates' votes may appear on the primary election ballot.