NORWICH – Presidential candidate John Davis made Norwich the next stop along his grass-roots tour of America Friday. Davis said he plans on visiting every county in the country before Jan. 10 and Chenango got him to number 961.
Davis said the inspiration to run for office came about a year and a half ago after witnessing what he deemed to be “a worsening state of affairs,” in government.
“We need to do something now or in the next six to 10 years we’re going to be in some real trouble,” he said. Davis said what the country needs now is someone willing to put power back in the hands of the state and local governments.
“They know what’s wrong with their own areas,” he said. “And I’m sure if anyone knows the best way to fix their problems it’s the local governments ... not Washington, D.C.”
Davis has never held public office, in fact, this will be the first time he has ever run for election. However, Davis believes he has what the nation needs right now.
“I thought to myself: What qualities would I want in a president?” he said. “‘What would make me want to shake our leader’s hand?’” Davis said he is building his campaign on a “foundation of strong morals and less government.” He admitted to not knowing much about Chenango County itself, but said he was familiar with areas like it all across the nation.
“People need to take power back from the government,” he said. “People on a local level know what it will take to keep the farms in business.”
Davis was born and raised in Grand Junction, Colo., and boasts six generations of his family to live in that area. He has four children and six grandchildren. He has been self-employed since he graduated from high school and he funds a majority of his “votercade” across the country.
“It’s been a learning experience,” said Davis’ wife Deborah about the trip across the country. She explained that for every two weeks they spend on the road, they return home for one week to visit with their family. However, according to Davis the toughest part is being away from his grandchildren for so much of the year.
Despite the long hours on the road, Deborah Davis said the difficulties are what make her husband stand out.
“It’s a challenge to him and he likes that,” she said.
The turnout for Davis’ brief visit to Norwich’s West Park was small, but according to Davis, he had an opportunity talk to people individually which he prefers.
“He seems like an honest, down-to-earth fella,” said Norwich resident Jenny Carpenter. “He could possibly run the country ... but it worries me that he has no training in foreign affairs.”
Davis continued his trip with a stop in Cooperstown before continuing onto Vermont. He said his visit in Norwich, although brief, was a refreshing chance to meet some “honest folk.” He concluded with his campaign slogan: “Let’s fix America.”
“We have some big problems,” said Davis. “That’s why I carry a big wrench, to fix the problems.”