The Peru Gazette

Candidate News Release of August 19, 2026 

CLINTON COUNTY, N.Y. — Brent Davison, Republican candidate for Clinton County Sheriff, is continuing his campaign focused on bringing experienced, professional leadership to the Sheriff’s Office while strengthening public safety, restoring trust and accountability, supporting employees, ensuring the safe custody of incarcerated individuals, and leading with integrity.

Davison brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience and a lifetime of public service to the race. His background includes 20 years of service in the United States Army, service with the New York State Department of Corrections, and 29 years with the New York State Police.

Davison retired from the State Police at the rank of Major after serving as Troop B Commander, where he was responsible for operations across much of the North Country and approximately 420 personnel. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

“My campaign is about providing the people of Clinton County with experienced, accountable and professional leadership,” Davison said. “The Sheriff’s Office belongs to the people we serve. They deserve an office that protects their communities, respects constitutional rights, supports its employees and holds itself to the highest professional standards.”

Davison’s campaign is centered on a Five-Point Plan for the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office:

1. Public Safety

Public safety will remain the first and most important responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office.

Davison’s plan emphasizes proactive and visible patrols, traffic and school safety, community education, marine patrols, and strong partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. He also supports community education addressing drugs, alcohol, vaping, internet crimes, online predators and scams.

“Public safety and constitutional rights are not competing priorities,” Davison said. “Good law enforcement protects both.”

2. Restoring Trust and Accountability

Davison believes trust must exist between the Sheriff’s Office and the public as well as within the organization.

His administration would emphasize transparency, accountability and leadership that remains present and engaged throughout the entire term.

“There must be accountability at every level,” Davison said. “Employees deserve a professional workplace where they are treated with dignity and respect, and the public deserves confidence that problems will be addressed.”

Davison has pledged that sexual harassment, threats, retaliation and other conduct that harms employees or undermines public trust will not be tolerated.

3. Supporting Deputies, Corrections, Medical and Civilian Staff

Davison’s plan calls for ensuring deputies, corrections officers, medical personnel, civil employees and other staff have the training, resources, leadership and support necessary to safely and effectively perform their duties.

“Taking care of the people who serve our community is essential to public safety,” Davison said. “Good employees deserve good leadership, the proper tools to do their jobs and an administration that supports them while maintaining high professional standards.”

4. Safe Custody of Incarcerated Individuals

The Sheriff has a significant responsibility for the safety and security of individuals housed in the Clinton County Jail.

Davison’s plan emphasizes safety, professionalism, appropriate medical care, proper supervision, training and accountability within the correctional environment.

“People who are incarcerated are in the custody of the Sheriff, and that carries an enormous responsibility,” Davison said. “They must be managed safely, securely, professionally and humanely while maintaining the security necessary to protect staff, incarcerated individuals and the public.”

5. Professional Leadership and Ethics

Davison’s final point centers on integrity-based leadership and the belief that every division of the Sheriff’s Office plays an essential role.

“Patrol, Corrections and Civil perform different functions, but every one of them is necessary to accomplish the mission,” Davison said. “As Sheriff, I will treat each division equally and lead the entire organization.”

Davison said his approach to leadership was shaped by decades of military and law enforcement service and by leading people from first-line supervision through regional command.

“Leadership is not a title. It is a responsibility,” Davison said. “It means setting the example, making difficult decisions, giving your people credit when things go right and accepting responsibility when they do not.”

Davison said his candidacy represents a continuation of a lifetime devoted to public service.

“I have worn a uniform since I was 17 years old,” Davison said. “From the military, to corrections, to nearly three decades with the New York State Police, my life has been centered around service. I believe that experience has prepared me to lead the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.”

“My commitment is simple: public safety within the boundaries of the Constitution, professional leadership, accountability to the people, and an unwavering commitment to serve all of Clinton County.”

Experience. Integrity. Leadership. Accountability.

Brent Davison for Clinton County Sheriff