Spartanburg County Council Chairman Jeff Horton announced Thursday he will not seek re-election in 2018 so he can spend more time with his family and focus on his financial services business.
Horton, 57, of Boilings Springs, was first elected in 1994 to represent District 2. He is completing his sixth term in office. Horton said he contemplated for some time whether to run for re-election and ultimately decided this would be his last term. He's served as chairman on County Council for the past 16 years.
"It was a very hard decision," Horton said. "I have done this over half of my adult life. You just get accustomed to getting calls and helping people."
Horton said the primary factor driving his decision is that he will be taking on more responsibilities at Horton Financial Services. Horton also wants to have more time for his 15-month-old grandson, Tripp.
"It's just time for me to move on," Horton said. "I never really intended to be here this long. Twenty-four years is a long time."
Horton began selling insurance in 1980 and began his career as an investment professional in 1996 at Horton Financial Services.
Horton led council when the Great Recession put the strain on county coffers in 2008, and the slow recovery in the years afterward.
"During that period, tough decisions had to be made to ensure our community continues to move forward," Horton said in a statement. "I am leaving council in a solid financial position, and that is a credit to the work of so many people, including my fellow council members, during those trying times."
Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt thanked Horton for his service to the county.
"Being chairman is an extremely difficult job," Britt said. "Jeff has always been supportive of economic development. He has understood the value of what we do."