Emotions ran high inside the Erie County Council chambers as longtime District 2 Representative André Horton said a bittersweet goodbye after more than a decade of service.
It was a packed room in the council chambers, and a night filled with gratitude, reflection, and a few tears. We spoke with André Horton about the legacy he leaves behind as he attended his last night at County Council.
André Horton has represented Erie County Council’s District 2 since 2014. During his first term, Horton initiated the Summer Jobs and More program, which has provided more than 400 part-time summer jobs for youth ages 16–21 in the city and county.
Horton shared what it was like to be the first person of color to hold an elected Erie County office since the county’s incorporation in 1803. He emphasized that he could not have achieved this without the support of his parents and family.
Although he is stepping down from County Council, Horton is not going far he now begins his journey as a member of the Erie City Council, looking forward to continuing his service to the community.