Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione announced Friday that he will run for re-election in 2026, pointing to staffing gains, officer wellness efforts, and major drug and gun seizures during his first term.
Cirencione has served as sheriff since January 2023. He said his campaign will focus on public safety, responsible leadership, and bipartisan collaboration.
“I’m running for re-election because Ontario County deserves a Sheriff’s Office that is fully staffed, well-trained, and supported — both on the streets and behind the scenes,” Cirencione said. “We have made tremendous progress, but there is more work to do. My focus remains the same: protecting our county, supporting our officers, and delivering results that keep our communities safe.”
Cirencione highlighted several accomplishments from his time in office. The Road Patrol reached full staffing for the first time in more than six years, including three new positions added to handle higher call volume. The Corrections Bureau reduced vacancies by 40 percent, and 911 Communications staffing stabilized with only three openings out of 26 positions.
The sheriff also emphasized expanded support for officer wellness. After adding a doctor-level clinician, the Sheriff’s Office has provided more than 700 confidential wellness sessions to officers and their families since January 2024. The office also expanded peer support programs, stress-management training, and trauma-response resources.
Cirencione said his administration strengthened drug, gun, and violent crime enforcement by assigning five investigators full time to narcotics and gun trafficking cases. The office led two multi-jurisdictional WIRE investigations that resulted in more than two dozen felony arrests and multiple convictions. Investigators seized 22 kilograms of cocaine, 2,700 fentanyl pills, and 61 firearms, and recovered $465,000 in cash. The release said 80 percent of that money returned to county taxpayers to fund equipment and technology.
Looking ahead, Cirencione said he plans to continue investing in officer wellness, maintain strong staffing across all bureaus, advance crime-fighting technology, and deepen community engagement and transparency.
“The people of Ontario County deserve a Sheriff’s Office they can trust,” Cirencione said. “We have built a strong foundation together, and I am committed to building on it — with professionalism, compassion, and a results-driven approach to public safety.”
Cirencione has served Ontario County for 24 years in road patrol, investigations, emergency response, administration, and command leadership. He was elected sheriff in 2022 and lives in the county with his wife, Sue.
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