Oct 23, 2026 · 6 min · 7 segments
Oneida County’s sheriff race heats up as incumbent Robert Maciol and challenger Jared Pearl clash over crime, bail reform, immigration enforcement, and the future of public safety…
Oneida County voters will soon decide who should lead the sheriff's office for the next four years, and the two candidates are offering different approaches to public safety.
Incumbent sheriff Robert Maciol, running as a Democrat, is facing Republican and conservative challenger Jared Pearl in the November 3rd general election.
Both candidates recently shared their positions with the Daily Sentinel, addressing crime, immigration enforcement, state laws, and the challenges facing local law enforcement.
And while both say public safety is their top priority, their strategies differ.
Masiol identifies mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence as some of the county's most pressing concerns.
He points to initiatives established during his administration, including a specialized crisis response team, domestic violence prevention partnerships, and efforts to combat illegal drugs.
Pearl, meanwhile, argues that New York's bail reform laws are the biggest threat to public safety.
He believes those policies allow repeat offenders to return to the streets and says he would push state lawmakers to reverse them.
Immigration enforcement is another area where the candidates differ.
Maciel supports cooperation with federal immigration authorities on criminal matters, but emphasizes that civil immigration enforcement falls outside the sheriff's office's jurisdiction.
Pearl takes a more aggressive position, opposing sanctuary policies and calling for stronger cooperation to address undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records.
Both candidates also criticized changes to New York's criminal justice laws.
Maciol says bail reform and raise the age legislation have created challenges for law enforcement.
He favors continued efforts to improve those laws.
Pearl wants a complete repeal of bail reform, discovery reform, and raise the age.
Inside the Sheriff's Office, recruitment and employee morale are also major campaign issues.
Masión highlights changes to workplace policies, employee wellness initiatives, and expanded recruiting efforts.
Pearl argues that the department needs new leadership, pointing to a no-confidence vote involving the current administration and the county's Police Benevolent Association.
Looking ahead to 2027, Macion says he would continue expanding public safety partnerships, supporting school safety programs, and addressing substance abuse and domestic violence.
Pearl says his priority would be keeping dangerous offenders off the streets, drawing on more than three decades of experience in policing, corrections, and emergency services.
Both candidates reported no bankruptcy filings or felony convictions and said their taxes are current.
Ultimately, this election presents Oneida County voters with a choice between an incumbent emphasizing established programs and continued collaboration and a challenger calling for leadership changes and tougher criminal justice policies.
Voters will make that decision on November 3rd.
For more on this story, check out ursentinel.com.
Oneida County voters will soon decide who should lead the sheriff's office for the next four years, and the two candidates are offering different approaches to public safety.
Incumbent sheriff Robert Maciol, running as a Democrat, is facing Republican and conservative challenger Jared Pearl in the November 3rd general election.
Both candidates recently shared their positions with the Daily Sentinel, addressing crime, immigration enforcement, state laws, and the challenges facing local law enforcement.
And while both say public safety is their top priority, their strategies differ.
Masiol identifies mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence as some of the county's most pressing concerns.
He points to initiatives established during his administration, including a specialized crisis response team, domestic violence prevention partnerships, and efforts to combat illegal drugs.
Pearl, meanwhile, argues that New York's bail reform laws are the biggest threat to public safety.
He believes those policies allow repeat offenders to return to the streets and says he would push state lawmakers to reverse them.
Immigration enforcement is another area where the candidates differ.
Maciel supports cooperation with federal immigration authorities on criminal matters, but emphasizes that civil immigration enforcement falls outside the sheriff's office's jurisdiction.
Pearl takes a more aggressive position, opposing sanctuary policies and calling for stronger cooperation to address undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records.
Both candidates also criticized changes to New York's criminal justice laws.
Maciol says bail reform and raise the age legislation have created challenges for law enforcement.
He favors continued efforts to improve those laws.
Pearl wants a complete repeal of bail reform, discovery reform, and raise the age.
Inside the Sheriff's Office, recruitment and employee morale are also major campaign issues.
Masión highlights changes to workplace policies, employee wellness initiatives, and expanded recruiting efforts.
Pearl argues that the department needs new leadership, pointing to a no-confidence vote involving the current administration and the county's Police Benevolent Association.
Looking ahead to 2027, Macion says he would continue expanding public safety partnerships, supporting school safety programs, and addressing substance abuse and domestic violence.
Pearl says his priority would be keeping dangerous offenders off the streets, drawing on more than three decades of experience in policing, corrections, and emergency services.
Both candidates reported no bankruptcy filings or felony convictions and said their taxes are current.
Ultimately, this election presents Oneida County voters with a choice between an incumbent emphasizing established programs and continued collaboration and a challenger calling for leadership changes and tougher criminal justice policies.
Voters will make that decision on November 3rd.
For more on this story, check out ursentinel.com.
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