Republican leaders in Ontario County have officially lined up their picks for the 2026 election season, throwing support behind a slate of incumbents for local, state, and federal offices. The Ontario County Republican Committee made the endorsements during its meeting Jan. 22 in Hopewell.
The committee backed U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney for the 24th Congressional District, State Sen. Pam Helming for the 54th Senate District, Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan for the 131st Assembly District, and Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey for the 133rd Assembly District. Endorsements also went to Dave Cirencione for Ontario County sheriff, Jeff Trickler for county treasurer, and Terri Haskins and Scott “Scooter” Avedisian for county coroner.
“Our incumbents have been representing their constituents exceptionally well and deserve our support,” said Trisha Turner, chairwoman of the Ontario County Republican Committee.
Tenney is seeking re-election in a district that includes most of Ontario County. She was first elected to Congress in 2016 after serving in the New York State Assembly. Helming, a former Canandaigua town supervisor, is running again for the Senate seat she has held since 2016, representing all of Ontario County.
Gallahan, first elected to the Assembly in 2020, represents the cities of Canandaigua and Geneva along with several Ontario County towns. Before joining the Assembly, he served more than a decade as Manchester town supervisor. Bailey, elected in 2024, represents parts of Ontario County along with Livingston County communities and previously served as Livingston County clerk.
At the county level, Cirencione is seeking another term as sheriff after taking office in 2023. Trickler, the current county treasurer, previously worked as deputy treasurer and served as Geneva’s police chief. Coroners Haskins and Avedisian are also running again. Haskins is a nurse practitioner and the county’s only accredited coroner, while Avedisian is a retired Ontario County sheriff’s deputy who continues to work in law enforcement.
“Our committee is proud to support and endorse this outstanding group of candidates,” Turner said. “We are confident they will continue to represent and serve the residents of Ontario County with dedication and integrity.”
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