VESTAL, NY (WSKG) — Broome County’s 2022 race for sheriff will likely be a contested race with Kathleen Newcomb declaring her candidacy in a bid against current state Senator Fred Akshar (NY-52).
Newcomb officially announced she would seek the office in September, flanked by family and supporters at Grange Hall Park in Kirkwood, the location Deputy Kevin Tarsia was murdered in 2002.
A 30-year veteran of the Broome County Sheriff’s Department and current captain overseeing the law enforcement division, Newcomb said she believes her various roles over that time make her especially qualified to serve as sheriff.
"I've been there every day, day in and out, boots on the ground through all of the up’s and downs that Broome County has seen and the constituency has seen,” Newcomb told WSKG in an interview.
Newcomb said she wants to prioritize transparency, especially with the county correctional facility, as well as increase community outreach initiatives.
With Akshar pursuing the Republican nomination for Sheriff, Newcomb said she chose to switch parties so she could run on the Democrat line and ensure all voters in the county have a choice. She also added that she doesn’t believe the responsibilities of the sheriff and public safety as a whole are inherently political.
"At no time during the day am I faced with Republican versus Democratic issues in my duties of my job. I'm not,” Newcomb said. “I am faced with public safety issues though every single day."
The race was set into motion after current sheriff, David Harder, announced he would retire and not seek a seventh term. Shortly after, Akshar announced his intention to run for the office.