Dan Benson Announces Bid For Mercer County Executive

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – Assemblyman Dan Benson announced his candidacy for Mercer County Executive on Wednesday.

Benson will be vying for the Democratic nomination and will be challenging County Executive Brian M Hughes, who has been in the position for almost 20 years.

“I’m running for Mercer County Executive to move our county forward and lead an effective administration that promotes new ideas and thoughtful innovation,” Benson said. “We are at a historic crossroads. With unprecedented levels of federal investment available and with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, we find ourselves in a position of extraordinary opportunity. But right now, we’re letting these opportunities slip through our fingers.”

Benson served on the Hamilton Town Council from 2002-05 and then on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 2008 to 2011.

The Democratic nomination is set for the spring of 2023. In November, Hughes announced his bid for reelection. More: Mercer County Executive Kicks Off Reelection Bid In Lawrence Township

“Our county government must do better on what it should do best: infrastructure, social services, public safety, education and public health. Whether it’s clean water, safe roads, economic investment, or equitable access to transportation, we should be leading the way,” Benson said.

Benson has also picked up a number of high-profile endorsements from committee chairs and mayors to councilmembers and commissioners.

“Post-pandemic, our needs have changed. We have a substance abuse and mental health crisis that is as challenging as the pandemic itself, and too many working families are both food and housing insecure. We need to restore transparency and make it easier to access services and information. We can and must meet this moment before it is too late,” Benson said.

A County Executive serves a four-year term and oversees all aspects of government.

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