Election Day Preview: Meet the Candidates Running County Wide.
In addition to the races going on at the local level, there are a few county-wide races voters should take note of as well as a ballot measure.
Several Candidates for countywide positions are running unopposed in this year’s race. In the county clerk’s race, incumbent Craig Hayner is running unopposed. He is running on the Conservative and Republican Party lines.
The same can be said for the candidates who will be up for coroner this year. Susan Hayes-Masa and Anthony Pernicaiaro are both running with no opposition of the Republican and Conservative lines.
Candidate for Sherriff: Jeff Brown (R, Conservative)
My name is Jeffrey Brown, and I serve as the Undersheriff of Saratoga County.
I am a lifelong Saratoga County resident, growing up in Malta, and graduating from Shenendehowa High School. After graduating with an associate’s degree in criminal justice, I pursued what was the beginning of a lifelong and successful career at the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. Over my career, I worked out of the Malta, Corinth, Clifton Park and Halfmoon Stations and was a proactive Deputy Sheriff, protecting our streets, making arrests and answering calls for service. In 2005 I was promoted to the rank of Investigator. I thoroughly enjoyed working as an Investigator, especially when it came to helping crime victims. I was involved in large investigations including homicides, burglaries and bank robberies. I was then promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain.
In May of 2023, Sheriff Zurlo selected me as his Undersheriff. As Undersheriff I am responsible for all five divisions within the Sheriff’s Office, +300 employees, and a $46 million budget.
Having worked at the Sheriff Office for 27 years and being a lifelong Saratoga County resident, I care deeply about the Sheriff’s Office and the County the members work hard to protect and serve. I have a lot to offer the members of the Sheriff’s Office and the residents of the County. It would be my honor to continue to serve.
I developed a plan which is available on my website jeffbrownforsheriff.com. It includes supporting our School Resource Officer program, crime prevention for our elderly population, having regular coordination meetings with the top law enforcement officials within Saratoga County and providing the support necessary for the Sheriff’s Office members to best provide the services to the community they serve.
Candidate for Sheriff: Ryan Mahan (D)
Ryan Mahan has dedicated more than 20 years to protecting and serving the people of Saratoga County. With over two decades in the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Ryan has built a reputation as a steady, fair, and approachable law enforcement professional who puts people first. His experience spans over many divisions — from road patrol and traffic safety to school and community outreach — and he was instrumental in launching the county’s first School Resource Officer and Youth Cadet programs.
As President of the Saratoga County Deputy Sheriffs PBA for more than 10 years, Ryan has been a strong advocate for deputies and their families, negotiating fair contracts, improving working conditions, and ensuring that law enforcement remains connected to the community it serves. His leadership is rooted in accountability, service, and respect — qualities that have earned him trust across party lines.
Ryan is running for Sheriff because he believes public safety should never be political. His priorities include rebuilding morale within the Sheriff’s Office, strengthening school safety, ensuring transparency, addressing homelessness through compassion and collaboration, and restoring proactive community policing — especially in neighborhoods and communities too often overlooked.
A resident of Saratoga County, Ryan lives in Malta with his wife, Kelly, and their son. He’s an active youth sports coach in Halfmoon and Clifton Park, mentoring the next generation both on and off the field.
Ryan believes leadership means showing up, listening, and working together. As Sheriff, he will focus on unity, fairness, and safety — because Saratoga County deserves a leader who stands with the people, not above them
Candidate for District Attorney: Bobby Logan (D)
I’m running for District Attorney because we need a DA’s office that puts prosecutions ahead of partisan politics and national culture wars. I’ve been a public servant my entire career, prosecuting criminals and investigating fraud by corporations and criminal networks.
I’ve logged thousands of hours in the courtroom in over a decade as an Assistant District Attorney, and then as bureau chief in the Saratoga County DA’s office, I managed and trained Assistant District Attorneys and set policy for the unit – all with the goal of enforcing the rule of law, keeping families safe, and putting serious offenders behind bars.
I am deeply concerned with how my opponent was selected by political party bosses, not voters. We live in a democracy and Saratoga County residents should have a choice at the ballot box – not people running uncontested for the highest law enforcement official in the county.
I’m a husband, father of three young kids, and a proud Saratoga County resident. I want to make sure these communities are safe places to raise children and attractive for employers and small businesses.
I worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx and Suffolk County before serving in the Saratoga County DA’s office. My extensive prosecutorial experience is why I decided to run – my opponent has not prosecuted a case since 2014. That means he has not been on the front lines for the major changes in the criminal justice system. I’ve been in the trenches working cases and supervising attorneys as we dealt with upheaval in the justice system. It takes experience to obtain convictions.
I now serve as an attorney in the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, leading an investigative team to prosecute and root out fraud cases. As DA, I’ll focus on public safety, not politics
Candidate for District Attorney: Brett Eby (R, Conservative)
From his campaign Facebook- Election Day is six days from today. I want to share why I’m the right choice to protect Saratoga County and deliver real results for our community.
The Only Candidate Universally Endorsed by Law Enforcement — Because those who protect us every day trust me to do the same.
A Plan to Combat the Consequences of Bail Reform — Holding dangerous offenders accountable and keeping our communities safe.
Support for Victims — Standing by victims through every step of the court process and continuing to support them after the case is closed with a victim based prosecution initiative.
Experience Helping Those Struggling with Substance Abuse — Promoting recovery programs that stop the cycle of addiction and crime.
A Meaningful Response to the Animal Abuse Crisis — Pursuing justice for vulnerable animals and strengthening enforcement.
Protecting Local Businesses — Delivering swift, efficient responses to property crimes that threaten our local economy.
Tough on Violent Criminals and Sex Offenders — Seeking strict sentences for the most serious offenders to keep Saratoga County safe.
Improving School Safety — Working with educators and law enforcement to make every school a safe place to learn and grow.
Bipartisan Support-I am the only candidate to receive multiple endorsements by elected officials in both parties.
Ballot Amendment
On the back of the ballot this year is a ballot measure regarding land transfers in Adirondack Park. Voters are asked this year whether to allow the state to transfer 1,039 acres of land to the Olympic Sports Complex to be used for skiing and trails.
In exchange for this land, the state would be required to add 2,500 acres of new forests into the park. A yes vote approves the transfer while a no vote denies it.
In terms of support, the New York League of Conservation Voters, Adirondack Council and Protect the Adirondacks support the proposal. The only notable opposition to the proposal came from a New York City politician who worried about the precedent the land transfer would set.
Note: An earlier version of the story did not list the party affiliation of Sherriff’s Candidate Ryan Mahan who is running on the Democratic Party Line. This has since been corrected.