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.