As of November 4, 2026, CNYCentral reported that Toby Shelley was projected the winner of Onondaga County Sheriff; the result is unofficial until New York certifies it on December 15. Shelley and Lenhart were on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Onondaga County election filings. Certified results will appear here once the election office certifies the count. New York certifies the general election by December 15, 2026; county canvasses are due November 28.
Incumbent Sheriff Toby Shelley (Democratic, We The People), first elected in 2022, seeks re-election against RJ Lenhart (Republican, Conservative), a retired Syracuse police officer and Senior Investigator in the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office, per WAER and the Onondaga County Board of Elections candidate list. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.
This race. Every voter in Onondaga County votes on this seat. The sitting officeholder, Toby Shelley, is on the ballot.
This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.
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New York › Onondaga County › Onondaga County Sheriff
This report is cited to the outlet that published it. We do not call races.
Reports are checked daily until New York certifies on December 15; a certified winner replaces the report on that day.
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From the campaign site
Shelley is the sitting Onondaga County Sheriff, first elected in 2022 after nearly three decades with the Sheriff's Office and 30 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard, per his campaign site.
Lenhart is a retired Syracuse police officer and former undersheriff now working as a Senior Investigator in the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office, per WAER.
Who is running for Onondaga County Sheriff in 2026?
As of November 4, 2026, CNYCentral reported that Toby Shelley was projected the winner of Onondaga County Sheriff; the result is unofficial until New York certifies it on December 15. 2 candidates were tracked for Onondaga County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Toby Shelley and RJ Lenhart. Candidate information follows official Onondaga County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Onondaga County Sheriff election in New York?
Election Day was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Certified results will appear on this page as the election office certifies them. New York certifies the general election by December 15, 2026; county canvasses are due November 28. Voting rules for New York are on the New York election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Onondaga County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Who won the Onondaga County Sheriff race?
As of November 4, 2026, CNYCentral reported that Toby Shelley was projected the winner of Onondaga County Sheriff; the result is unofficial until New York certifies it on December 15. Source: CNYCentral, "Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley wins re-election against R.J. Lenhart", November 4, 2026. We do not call races.
Candidate roster from official Onondaga County and state election office filings, last verified October 24, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official New York election office, or see the full Onondaga County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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