TROY – Brian Owens, a retired city police chief, pledged he would be an “independent sheriff” as he launched his campaign Tuesday for Rensselaer County sheriff as he stood before the county jail.
“The issue is to be independent when elected sheriff and doing the job for the people, not only for elected officials and party officials,” Owens said.
An enrolled Conservative, Owens is viewed by county Democrats as their strongest candidate to push back against a county Republican party led by County Executive Steve McLaughlin, who four years ago proclaimed himself as the county GOP boss when he was trying to influence the city of Troy race for mayor.
As the leader of county government and defacto head of the county GOP, McLaughlin casts influence publicly and behind the scenes in party circles. The sheriff’s post is a county law enforcement position that provides deputies to patrol most of the Republican-controlled towns in the county and oversees the jail in South Troy.
“You can’t find a better candidate for Rensselaer County sheriff,” said Assemblyman John T. McDonald III, D-Cohoes, who introduced Owens, a Brunswick resident. “This guy checks all the boxes. His experience is real,” said McDonald, who represents Troy, North Greenbush and East Greenbush in the chamber.
While Democrats have the most enrolled voters countywide, the Republican strength in the suburban and rural towns has allowed them to win most elections. Democrats need to crack that hold on the towns, which is why they’ve turned to Owens with a strong law enforcement background of 24 years working in corrections at the county jail for eight months and who leans conservative.
Owens will also be seeking the Conservative party line where a primary is expected. But who will oppose him as the Republican candidate has not yet been determined.
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