SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Current Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff has announced he will run for reelection. Kathleen Lara, currently the deputy county treasurer, announced she will run for the office of county treasurer following current and long-time treasurer Nancy Buck’s plans to retire at the end of 2025. New York will hold primary elections for municipal office in June 2025.

Sullivan County Sheriff

Just before the new year on Sunday, December 29, 2024, Republican Michael Schiff announced his intention to seek reelection as Sullivan County Sheriff. 

Schiff made the announcement before approximately 80 supporters at Albella’s Restaurant in Monticello, according to a press release from his reelection campaign. This will be his sixth time running for the office of the sheriff. He has not had a Democratic challenger since 2009 when Frank Armstrong, Democrat, challenged him in the general election. Armstrong also ran against Schiff when he first won the office for Sullivan County Sheriff in 2005. At this time no announcements for other candidates for the office have been made. 

Some of the officials in attendance were district seven legislator Joe Perrello, current county treasurer Nancy Buck and county clerk Russell Reeves. 

This will be the sheriff’s sixth time running for reelection. When announcing his candidacy, Schiff pointed out programs he initiated over the last 19 years, including a youth division with its school resource and DARE program in the county’s schools. Schiff highlighted the formation of the emergency services unit and the acquisition of the BearCat armored vehicle to deal with armed and barricaded subjects. He highlighted employing new technologies, such as the Sheriff’s Drone Program, and pointed out an increase in training made available to the office. 

Schiff also praised the hard work of his deputies in the jail division who he said “deal with difficult situations every day,” and thanked the members of his civil division who carry out court orders and judgements each week. 

County treasurer

The current Sullivan County Deputy Treasurer Kathleen Lara, without a party line, announced her campaign for the office of Sullivan County Treasurer following the announcement that current and long-time county treasurer Republican Nancy Buck plans to retire at the end of 2025. 

Buck was appointed to the treasurer position in 2014 after the previous treasurer, Ira Cohen, passed away. She has served in the office of the treasurer for over 20 years.

Lara said in her announcement that she is “committed to bringing fresh leadership, accountability and a strong vision for the future of Sullivan County.” 

“I have been fortunate to work with Nancy Buck, my boss and mentor for over 10 years. I believe I can continue her strong fiscal policies and procedures to help move the Sullivan County Treasurer’s Office into the future.” she said.

Lara will share more about her plans for the office with her official announcement on Friday, January 10, at 11 a.m. at the Sullivan County Government Center.