Patch Candidate Profile: Margaret Horton, RTM District 10

FAIRFIELD, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Fairfield will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Fairfield Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

Margaret Horton

How old will you be as of Election Day?

49

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://fairfielddemocrats.com

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

RTM

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

District 10

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

BA, Colgate University; MSW, Columbia University

What is your occupation?

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 20+ Years Experience

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Married with two children in Fairfield Public Schools

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Representative, Fairfield RTM 2017-2019 and 2021-Present

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I've always felt a deep commitment to public service, and believe that running for re-election to the RTM is a way to continue to serve my community and work collaboratively with others to ensure that Fairfield remains a dynamic place to live.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe the single most pressing issue is lack of cohesive leadership; and to address this I intend to engage with all stakeholders and listen thoughtfully and mindfully to their concerns in order to work with fellow leaders to develop mutually agreed upon solutions that will benefit all constituents.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I believe we are all similar in our love for Fairfield and desire to serve our town, but I believe that my previous experience in this post plus my professional expertise as a social worker make me uniquely qualified.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I am the incumbent in this role.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My priorities include a commitment to civil discourse and good fiscal stewardship for the town, including maintaining and improving our educational system and town assets.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have handled this job for two terms already, and believe that demonstrates I can continue to do so for a third.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Sometimes it's more important to be effective than to get stuck in being right.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I feel very grateful for the life my family and I have in Fairfield, and am deeply committed to continuing to give back to this town.