County

Broome County Sheriff

Vote for: 1
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement patrol, the county jail and civil process.

Candidates Compare by issue

Matt Ryan

Democratic, Working Families

The gist

Pledges to end the sheriff's office's cooperation with ICE.
Proposes downsizing the 600-bed county jail to save money.
Supports shifting jail spending to crime prevention and youth programs.
Supports reentry programs to reduce recidivism.
Opposes the sheriffs' lawsuit against New York's 287(g) ban.

More about Matt

View sources (4)

Pledges to end the sheriff's office's cooperation with ICE.
Broome County sheriff may face opposition in reelection bid
News coverage · WSKG · Mar 27, 2026 · wskg.org
“Ryan said as sheriff, he would end all cooperation with ICE.”
Ryan criticizes Sheriff Akshar for Hochul lawsuit (WIVT News 34, via Yahoo News)
News coverage · WIVT News 34 · Sep 3, 2026 · yahoo.com
“He says if he is elected, he will end ICE collaboration.”
Proposes downsizing the 600-bed county jail to save money.
Why former Binghamton mayor is planning to run for Broome County sheriff (Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, via Yahoo News)
News coverage · Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin · Mar 31, 2026 · yahoo.com
“potentially downsize the jail to save on funding … downsize our jail, then we could save millions of dollars”
Supports shifting jail spending to crime prevention and youth programs.
Why former Binghamton mayor is planning to run for Broome County sheriff (Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, via Yahoo News)
News coverage · Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin · Mar 31, 2026 · yahoo.com
“Part of his plan is to use resources to focus on prevention tactics like youth programs … A lot of that money could be used to prevent crime in the first place”
Supports reentry programs to reduce recidivism.
Broome County sheriff may face opposition in reelection bid
News coverage · WSKG · Mar 27, 2026 · wskg.org
“those who are coming back into our communities have a chance to succeed, have support systems in place”
Why former Binghamton mayor is planning to run for Broome County sheriff (Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, via Yahoo News)
News coverage · Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin · Mar 31, 2026 · yahoo.com
“Another aspect of his plan to redirect funding is to reduce recidivism.”
Opposes the sheriffs' lawsuit against New York's 287(g) ban.
Former Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan criticizes Broome County Sheriff Akshar over ICE-related lawsuit
News coverage · Pipe Dream · Sep 10, 2026 · bupipedream.com
“criticized current Sheriff Fred Akshar for filing a lawsuit against New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James”

Fred Akshar

Republican, ConservativeIncumbent

The gist

Led changes to jail conditions and incarcerated people's programs.
Pledges continued support for sheriff's deputies and officers.
Signed a 287(g) jail agreement with ICE in 2025.In office
Filed suit with other sheriffs against New York's 287(g) ban.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Fred

View sources (4)

Led changes to jail conditions and incarcerated people's programs.
Broome County sheriff may face opposition in reelection bid
News coverage · WSKG · Mar 27, 2026 · wskg.org
“since taking office he has improved conditions in the county jail, introduced new programs for incarcerated people and made the sheriff’s office more transparent”
Pledges continued support for sheriff's deputies and officers.
Why former Binghamton mayor is planning to run for Broome County sheriff (Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, via Yahoo News)
News coverage · Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin · Mar 31, 2026 · yahoo.com
“We are going to continue to support the men and women who wear the uniform every single day”
Signed a 287(g) jail agreement with ICE in 2025.
Broome County sheriff may face opposition in reelection bid
News coverage · WSKG · Mar 27, 2026 · wskg.org
“The sheriff signed a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last year.”
Former Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan criticizes Broome County Sheriff Akshar over ICE-related lawsuit
News coverage · Pipe Dream · Sep 10, 2026 · bupipedream.com
“In the notice of termination of the 287(g) agreement, Akshar emphasized his “unwavering commitment to public safety.””
Filed suit with other sheriffs against New York's 287(g) ban.
Former Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan criticizes Broome County Sheriff Akshar over ICE-related lawsuit
News coverage · Pipe Dream · Sep 10, 2026 · bupipedream.com
“Akshar and 15 other sheriffs across New York State filed a lawsuit against Hochul and James on Aug. 25.”
Ryan criticizes Sheriff Akshar for Hochul lawsuit (WIVT News 34, via Yahoo News)
News coverage · WIVT News 34 · Sep 3, 2026 · yahoo.com
“Our focus remains on the ability of independently elected sheriffs to serve and protect the people of their communities”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 3 issues covered in this race.