James M. Tofte, 38, a Republican  from the Campville area in the Town of Owego, announced he is running for  Tioga County Legislature in District 1.   Mr. Tofte said he will focus on increasing Tioga County's tax base by creating a better business climate for responsible development as well as improving the county's security and infrastructure to make that possible. Mr. Tofte points to the need to use the Lockheed Martin's US101 award as springboard for growth within the county in the form of housing, commercial, industrial, and retail development.

 Tofte is currently sits on the Town of Owego Planning Board, chairs the Planning Committee at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Vestal, and is an active coach volunteer for the Apalachin Youth Athletic Association and other community organizations.  
 Tofte is a Senior Site/Civil Engineer with McFarland Johnson Inc. of Binghamton. He and his wife,  Linda, have three boys Erik, Nolan and Karson, ages 7, 5, and 3 respectively.