HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- On Tuesday afternoon, Chemung County Legislature Chairman Mark Margeson announced his candidacy for Chemung County Executive in 2026. Family and supporters gathered at Latitude 42 Taphouse in Horseheads to hear why Margeson plans to run.
Margeson kicked things off by saying he made the decision because has an ambition to help Chemung County move forward and he's frustrated with how things are currently going in the county. He also shared that he was approached by members of the community to consider running.
"I have been asked by a number of business owners, local leaders, to jump on board and get involved and run for County Executive of Chemung County," said Margeson. "That's why I'm here today."
Margeson currently serves as the Chairman of the county legislature, as well as the Chairman of the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency.
According to Margeson, there are multiple issues he plans to campaign on but the biggest one is small business development.
During his time in the legislature, he says he and his colleagues worked together to help develop Incubator Works, described as a local business incubator that is meant to help people start and grow their businesses. He says the program has helped nearly 40 businesses thus far.
He adds that, in helping bolster small businesses, it will be more incentive for future generations to stick around Chemung County; it will also help generate sales tax revenue; and it will create jobs.
"That's what we need to continue to build on, and also our lifestyle here in this community needs to be worked on also," said Margeson. "We talk about -- I've said we go to Ithaca, and it's booming like crazy. We go to Watkins, and it's booming like crazy and you come to Elmira and there's not a whole lot of extra things going on to excite people to want to stay here."
Margeson adds, "It's not just about me. It's about building a network, creating a network of individuals that have access to these companies that we can build on. That's the key."
If he is elected, Margeson says he'd like to put a focus on teamwork across departments and agencies to help Chemung County flourish.
"I grew up in this community," said Margeson. "I mean, I've been here for my whole life except for years I was away at college and it’s a very very great place to live. But there seems to be lack of direction and I just feel confident that we can put a group of people together to create a plan moving forward in the community to make it a better place to live and make it prosperous."
Current Chemung County Executive Chris Moss shared with WENY News that he is planning to run for re-election in 2026 as well. Moss was first elected to the position in 2018 and would be seeking a third term.
Moss and Margeson would face a primary election in June of next year.