Daniel Horton

BY JOSH DAVISNorth Country This Week

GOUVERNEUR– A local advocate for veterans is throwing his hat in the ring to represent District 5 of the St. Lawrence County Legislature. 

Lifelong Gouverneur resident Daniel Horton says he is running for County Legislature to supplement services for local veterans and help realize opportunities for economic growth and job creation. 

“As I have the privilege of collaborating with veterans across the county, it becomes increasingly apparent that the scarcity of services available to them,” Horton said. 

“I recognize substantial opportunities for economic growth within our county, which could yield revenue generation and job creation. These factors significantly influenced my decision to pursue this election.” 

“It is time to put an end to the persistent divide between red and blue, left and right, and instead vote in the best interests of the county. The time to transcend partisan politics is now,” Horton said. 

Some of Horton’s legislative priorities would include improving the county’s infrastructure, which he says “demands immediate attention.”

“I am gravely concerned about the deplorable state of our county's infrastructure, particularly our roads,” Horton said. 

Horton also says he vows to preserve Second Amendment rights and “to bring transparency and fiscal responsibility to the office, ensuring no pay raises for elected officials without voter approval, preventing tax increases, and working collaboratively with fellow legislators to reduce energy costs.” 

Horton says he would like to see term limits imposed for county government officials, advocating for two four-year terms, “to ensure fresh perspectives and prevent stagnation.”

Horton attended SUNY Canton and graduated with a degree in criminal justice. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, which he said “instilled numerous core values that I utilize daily and will continue to apply while in office, including discipline, integrity, enthusiasm, loyalty, initiative, justice, judgment, bearing, tact, and unselfishness, among others.”

 “With a foundation built on honor, courage, and commitment, I believe this makes me an ideal candidate and representative for District 5.”

Legislative District 5 includes two communities in central St. Lawrence County, including the towns of Gouverneur and DePeyster. 

The district is currently represented by Harry Smithers of Gouverneur.