Ján Lunter

Lunter studied Cybernetics at the School of Electrical Engineering at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.^[3] Following the gentle revolution, he started a firm producing computer software and hardware, called Proces, and later started a food processing company called Alfa-Bio. In 2016 Alfa-Bio produced 160 tons of tofu and 100 tons of spreads.^[2]

Lunter announced plans to run for governor of the Banská Bystrica Region in January^[5] and officially entered the race in April 2017.^[6] By the end of August, Lunter had gained the support of Peter Pellegrini of Direction - Social Democracy,^[7] and later won support from Most–Híd and Progressive Slovakia.^[8] As candidates from other parties withdrew, many gave support to Lunter, including Martin Klus, who withdrew on 3 October;^[9] and Viliam Baňák, who withdrew on 4 October.^[10] By November, Lunter had support of all parties excluding the far-right Kotleba - People's Party Our Slovakia (the party of incumbent governor Marian Kotleba).^[1]