Democrats endorse retired Medina police officer for sheriff

ALBION – The Orleans County Democratic Committee unanimously endorsed a retired Medina police officer and investigator to be the county’s next sheriff.

Donald Organisciak has Democrats backing to run against Republican-endorsed Tom Drennan, the current chief deputy of the Sheriff’s Department, and Randy Bower, a county dispatcher who has the Conservative Party endorsement. Incumbent Scott Hess is retiring after Dec. 31.

About 20 members of the Democratic Party Committee met on Wednesday and gave the party endorsement to Organisciak.

“He has a good track record,” said Jeanne Crane, chairwoman of the Democratic Party.

The Democrats last month endorsed Fred Miller for another two-year term as county legislator. Miller, the owner of Family Hardware in downtown Albion, is the only Democrat on the seven-member County Legislature. The Republican Party opted against endorsing a candidate to run against him this election.

Democrats endorsed another candidate for Legislature on Wednesday. James White, a current senior in college, was backed to run for legislator against incumbent Don Allport for an at-large seat.

Crane said White was been active at Democratic Party events.

“He’s always been interested in politics,” she said about White. “The committee felt he was young and we don’t want to discourage anyone.”

Crane said the party still has time to endorse additional candidates for county offices.