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HAMILTON — The Butler County Democratic Party threw its support Thursday night behind candidates in the two local races that will be contested in the March primary, and handed endorsements to the sole Democrats running in all other local races.

They endorsed retired businesswoman Kathryn Bridgman in her bid for the 4th District state senate and businessman Ken Keith in his race for the 54th District state representative seat.

Both candidates said the endorsement is a boost to their campaigns.

"I really respect these people, and to get that kind of support is wonderful," Bridgman said.

But neither of their opponents showed before the 50-person audience at Butler Tech Thursday night.

Democratic Party Chairman Ron Wardrup said the party's screening committee met last week and recommended an endorsement for Bridgman because "she just impressed us more" than her opponent, Victor Rivera.

Keith's opponent, Fairfield City School District Board Member Arnold Engel, didn't seek the endorsement, decrying what he calls blanket party support for school levies.

A third primary race that was initially contested went to Nicholas von Stein last week when his opponent Morton Meier withdrew, tossing his support behind von Stein.