CT Patch Candidate Profile: Margaret Horton For RTM

FAIRFIELD, CT — The 2025 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Connecticut Patch asked local candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Candidate's Name:
Margaret Horton

What office are you seeking?
RTM District 10

What town do you live in?
Fairfield

Campaign Website
https://www.fairfielddemocrats.com/copy-4-of-rtm-2-1

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
I've been a professional social worker for 20+ years, with experience in a variety of settings from direct practice to program management. For the last 13 years, I've been in a group practice focusing on clinical work with adolescents and adults. I also work in the field of social work education at Sacred Heart University and Fordham University.

Family:
Yes- I've been happily married to my husband Mike for 15 years, and we are very blessed to have our children Connor (13) and Colleen (11), both of whom are students at Roger Ludlowe Middle School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes- I am currently seeking my fourth term on the RTM, and have also previously served on the Fairfield Parks and Recreation Commission.

Why are you seeking this office?
I believe strongly in the concept of service to others and to our community, and feel that serving on the RTM is a way for me to use my skills to give back to this town that I love and am grateful to raise my family in.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
To me, the single most pressing issue is making sure Fairfield continues to offer sustainable livability to all residents throughout their lifespans. I know that is a fairly broad statement, but what that translates into is making sure we are investing in things that people need at different stages in their lives, from high-quality schools for our students; a diversity of housing stock for families, young people and seniors; and safe streets and recreational amenities for everyone. In order to achieve these goals, I intend to work with my fellow representatives in a collaborative way to ensure that we are using town resources in a thoughtful way, including good capital planning for Fairfield's future needs.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I think my years of public service to Fairfield mean that I am already very familiar with salient issues. I also think my skills as a social worker make me uniquely qualified to build bridges with others at a time where that is so desperately needed in our world.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
In terms of practical issues, I think that street safety continues to be a high priority for our town and I want to keep addressing making sure we are investing in creating complete streets. On a more abstract level, I feel very strongly about a commitment to civil discourse- ultimately we are all neighbors together who need to listen to each other, and work to understand different perspectives. While we all might get stuck in emotionally-charged thinking at times, that will keep us stuck in polarized positions and not help us move our community forward.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I think the fact that I have been doing this job, and have been serving in a leadership capacity in the RTM, demonstrates that I can continue to do so.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
While it may not be a very quotable nugget of wisdom, my beloved grandmother always seemed pretty convinced that a combination of "a nice cup of tea" and leading with love and faith was the answer to most of life's problems. I think this really rings true when it comes to local service- we are most effective when we sit with each other, neighbor to neighbor, with an assumption of best intentions and shared goals.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I love this community, and I am so grateful for the life I am able to offer my children as they grow up here. It's important to me that we continue to invest in Fairfield thoughtfully so that our town continues to a vibrant place that meets the needs of all its residents.