If Marvin Torneden is elected Leavenworth County commissioner, he plans to do a lot of listening.

The 62-year-old lifelong county resident is running as a Republican for the seat currently held by Joe Daniels Jr. Daniels is not seeking a second four-year term.

“I’ve been interested in government for quite some time,” said Torneden, 22912 Linwood Road, Linwood. “I’m very good on budgets, and I have had experience on roadwork.”

He said he’s interested in what county residents are interested in.

“I want to bring government more to the people and let them have more say,” he said. “I am not running for myself. I am running for the people. If the people have input, I will make sure they will be heard.”

Torneden, a 1960 Linwood High School graduate, worked in 1972 and 1973 for Reno Township. He also has farmed for 30 years, holding other employment including jobs as a contract laborer, machine operator and a fitter. He currently is a custodian for the Basehor-Linwood school district. He said that if he is elected to the county commission, which pays $41,400 annually, he would quit his custodial job.

He and his wife, Marvel A. Torneden, have three grown children, Marvin D., Mary E. and Mark R., and three grandchildren. He and his wife are members of Stanwood Friends Church, where he has held numerous offices.

“We’ve got to live by a budget,” he said of his experience with church expenses.

Torneden was a member of Linwood Grange from 1966 to 1988, when the organization dissolved.

In June 1966, Torneden became a charter member of Reno Township Fire Department.

“I’m very active in it,” he said of the volunteer department.