A Republican primary battle is shaping up for the top elected position in Chemung County government.
Mark Margeson, chairman of the Chemung County Legislature, announced plans to run for county executive next year against incumbent Christopher Moss.
Margeson, a Horseheads native who owns Margeson Insurance Agency in Horseheads, was elected to the county legislature representing District 5 (towns of Erin and Horseheads) in 2018 and also serves as chairman of the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency.
Margeson has clashed publicly with Moss over several issues in recent years, including the future of the LECOM Event Center (formerly First Arena) and the firing by Moss of then attorney to the legislature Bryan Maggs.
It’s time for a change in leadership, Margeson said.
“At present and in fact for decades, Chemung County and the city of Elmira have been in a failing condition. We have relied on excuses and finger pointing to excuse our failures. This approach is not working,” Margeson said on his campaign website.
“We continue to decline — losing population, and vital community assets like our schools, churches, service organizations and even our children and grandchildren, as they leave our community in search of better opportunities,” he said. “The downward trajectory of our county must stop.”
In addition to 40 years in the insurance industry, Margeson also has background in the hotel and general aviation industries, according to his campaign website.
Moss, who said he plans to run for reelection next year, was elected county executive in November 2018 and took office in January 2019, after a 30-year career with the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, including the last 13 as the elected sheriff.
Moss won a three-way race for county executive with then-Deputy County Executive Michael Krusen and local businessman Jerome Emanuel in 2018, and was reelected in 2022.
The county executive oversees all aspects of county government and works with the legislature on budget issues and local laws. The position carries a four-year term.
Follow Jeff Murray on X (Twitter) @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Chemung County legislature chairman will challenge county executive in 2026. What to know
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
