SULLIVAN COUNTY — Tomorrow, June 14, marks the first day of early voting in the 2025 Primary, with Primary election day set for Tuesday, June 24.

The top race in Sullivan County is the Republican Primary for Sullivan County Sheriff, which is between the incumbent sheriff and his challenger, and will almost certainly guarantee the winner a job come January.

On the ballot in the county-wide race are incumbent Sheriff Michael Schiff and challenger Timothy Dymond.

Early voting starts tomorrow, June 14, and runs until Sunday, June 22 at both the Sullivan County Government Center and Sullivan County Public Health in Liberty.

Primary Day voting will be from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. on June 24 at all polling places across Sullivan County.

What about your background makes you the right candidate?

The incumbent sheriff, Michael Schiff, nodded to his 20-year career as Sheriff, which included a number of ambitious goals met, including building the new jail in Monticello, moving forward with improved technologies, and initiating a response team for emergency situations, as well as pointing out his 28 years of duty in the New York State Police.

On top of being a Tri-Valley High School graduate, challenger Tim Dymond, recalled his history with the New York State Police, spanning 20 years – all the way back to 2005. In his career with the NY State Police, he has worked with multiple branches, including as a Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) investigator, then a senior investigator, and eventually being named President of the New York State Police Investigators Association in 2020, prior to his retirement from State Police.

Why are you running for the office?

In his push for re-election, Schiff noted that in addition to being able to continue doing what he finds passion in, he has “a lot left to do” and feels the need to “see [the job] through.”

Schiff pointed out his top three concerns going forward are: 

1.) continuing to keep pressure on the ongoing Opioid issue using their “three-pronged approach” of education, treatment, and arresting drug dealers, 

2.) assisting in addressing bail reform and 

3.) cracking down on drunk driving, speeding and other DWI cases.

“We have continued to move forward with technology, training...everything that makes us a better agency,” Schiff said. “I would like to continue the job I started.”

Dymond, pointing out issues he found within the county, would like to:

1. Replace the Chief of Patrol (who currently is out on medical leave according to the Sheriff’s Office), 

2. Increase deputy morale and 

3. Place more focus on accountability.

“It is hard to make a difference [in these things] from the sidelines,” Dymond said, going on to say that three of his major concerns are 1.) the opioid crisis, 2.) combating anti-semitism and 3.) assisting in addressing violent crime when it comes to bail reform.

What does it mean to run as a Republican?

Being that this race is to secure the Republican line in November, both Schiff and Dymond noted their proud histories as party members. 

Schiff noted his gratitude for the Sullivan County Republican Committee’s recent endorsement, and Dymond held tight to his pride in being a life-long Sullivan County native Republican.