Sobieraski to challenge Bourke for sheriff of Orleans County in 2027
Brett Sobieraski
ALBION – Brett Sobieraski announced today he is running for Orleans County sheriff. Sobieraski, a retired sergeant with the Rochester Police Department, works an investigator for the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.
He will be challenging Chris Bourke, who wants another four-year term. Bourke has been sheriff the past seven years. He is a 42-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, starting as a part-time corrections officer and working his way up as a deputy sheriff, K9 officer, lieutenant, undersheriff and then sheriff.
The two faced each other for sheriff in 2019, with Bourke the victor, 51 to 49 percent in a Republican primary. Sobieraski was then a write-in candidate in November 2019 and received about 20 percent of the vote.
Sobieraski lives in Carlton. He has more than three decades of law enforcement experience.
“I’m running for Orleans County Sheriff because Kathy Hochul and Democrat Socialists in Albany and Washington continue to strip us of our rights and coddle career criminals,” he said in a campaign announcement this morning. “I’m a conservative Republican who will fight every day to protect our communities from dangerous offenders and make our community safer.”
With the Task Force he said he has investigated and arrested dozens of felony-level drug dealers, leading to the seizure of deadly narcotics, illegal weapons and drug proceeds. The Task Force operates within the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office.
Sobieraski began his career with the Lockport Police Department before joining the Rochester Police Department and becoming a sergeant. He supervised the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and served as entry team leader with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team.
He also served as an instructor at the regional police academy, training the next generation of law enforcement professionals in drug identification, officer safety and emergency response.
Sobieraski, 60, is also well known in the region for taking on endurance challenges to raise money and awareness for families of fallen law enforcement officers, and non-profit organizations. In July, he raised over $25,000 for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee by leading an effort to cover 400 miles on foot over eight days.
In 2023, he ran 50 marathons in 50 days, starting in Florida and ending in Rochester. He raised over $100,000 for the family of Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz. He was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022.
When his sons were kids, Soberiaski also volunteered as a local sports coach with the Kendall Wrestling Program and baseball team. He is the founder of Limitless Racing Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in road races.
He also volunteered with the Special Olympics, Huther Doyle addiction services, veterans’ organizations, families of fallen law enforcement officers, and individuals battling serious illnesses.
“Orleans County is my home,” he stated in a news release. “While Albany politicians prioritize criminals and make us less safe, I’ll be the fighter our community needs to aggressively target those bringing dangerous drugs into our community, create safer roads, unify our local police agencies, and bring new leadership into the Sheriff’s Office. We need change. I’m ready to get to work for our families, businesses and schools.”
A Republican primary is scheduled for June 22, 2027, with the general election on Nov. 2.
