This year, Henrietta residents will cast their ballots for three town positions, two state Supreme Court judgeships and a Family Court judge. Some residents will also see a county legislature seat representing parts of Henrietta on their ballot.
To help inform your vote, we sent brief questionnaires through the party chairpersons to all candidates in contested races. Those with expanded information and photos below responded to the questionnaire. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and space.
Election 2025: Early voting starts Oct. 25 in NY. What Rochester-area voters need to know
Early voting is available to all voters in Monroe County from Saturday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 2. Polls are open for regular voting between 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
You can look up where you can vote on Election Day at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov. Check back with the Democrat and Chronicle for the full election results as they become available.
Henrietta Town Supervisor
Corey Brown, R, C
Age: 45
Current or prior elected office: None.
Professional experience: I’ve spent over a decade as a Systems Engineer, consulting for Fortune 500 companies and rolling out cutting-edge tech like AI platforms, cloud analytics, and scalable solutions making waves in education, business, and tech, boosting revenue through smart, personalized insights that actually move the needle.
On the family side, I founded a hybrid homeschool co-op that mixes homeschooling with private, classical education to empower families to fight back against dropping literacy rates. Drawing from Hillsdale College’s curriculum, we weave in literacy, math, history, and hands-on trade skills through community partnerships, all grounded in liberty, civic virtue, and excellence. For safety, we brought in armed veterans to create secure, trauma-free spaces that keep our academic environments nurturing and focused on learning. These wins have me excited to support Henrietta’s family-friendly programs and help amplify what residents care about most.
Top priority: Henrietta’s dealing with wasteful spending on flashy non-essentials while we’ve lost over 250 acres of farmland since 2019 and it’s chipping away at our rural roots. Corey’s plan? Strict fiscal audits to shift dollars to must-haves like infrastructure, plus smart tech like AI feedback apps and digital permitting for smoother operations and real-time resident input. We’ll protect those prime soils with bigger ag districts, conservation easements, and NY grants, teaming up with Monroe County. It’s about saving family farms, trimming costs, and building sustainable growth: “Connect. Grow. Thrive.”
Stephen L. Schultz, D (incumbent)
Age: 63
Current or prior elected office: In my eighth year serving as Henrietta Town Supervisor.
Professional experience: Co-founder of Pictometry International before running for town supervisor. I grew the company from one employee, me, to over 250 employees, before the board of directors sold the company.
Top priority: To continue expanding the services and facilities of the town to offer more to our residents while keeping taxes down. For the fifth time in eight years, we have held the tax levy flat. At the same time, we have added numerous new parks and recreation facilities, as well as made necessary repairs to Town Hall and the DPW. We are pursuing numerous state grants and would like to see those to fruition.
Henrietta Town Board (2)
Patrick Herman, R, C
Age: 41
Current or prior elected office: None.
Professional experience: Served 16 years with the Town of Henrietta Highway Department. Currently the owner and operator of a successful landscape company serving Monroe County, including Henrietta.
Top priority: My top priority is ensuring responsible, transparent, and community-focused leadership for the residents of Henrietta. I am committed to fiscal accountability, maintaining essential services, and supporting smart growth that preserves our town’s character and quality of life. My background in public service and small business has given me the experience to deliver results efficiently and effectively. I am proud to be endorsed by the Rochester Police Locust Club, whose support reflects my dedication to public safety and strong community partnerships.
Timothy Ochs, R, C
Age: 55
Current or prior elected office: None.
Professional experience: Recently retired from the Town of Henrietta Department of Public Works, where I worked for 35 years. During my career I had the opportunity to participate in several departments, whether I was paving or plowing our community roads, helping with meals at the senior center, maintaining our town parks, assisting with recreational town events, and everything in between. As a foreman of the parks and facilities department for much of my career, I was instrumental in assisting with the planning and development of several new parks and facilities. I feel that this gives me a unique perspective and knowledge as to how the town has been run and maintained for decades and how we can make positive improvements. I have been a volunteer firefighter in Henrietta since 1988, where I served as battalion chief for over 20 years.
Top priority: My priority is to deliver smarter and more efficient improvements that strengthen our community, expand valuable community services, including leaf and brush pick up to better serve residents, while protecting tax dollars through realistic budgeting and responsible financial planning. I would also like to see more advocacy in holding county and state government, accountable, transparent, and fair.
Kristina J. Owens, D
Age: 49
Current or prior elected office: None.
Professional experience: Currently an English as a new language teacher at the Rochester City School District. Previously worked as an agricultural scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in other agriculture and science policy roles, and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia.
Top priority: My priorities for Henrietta center on investing in this wonderful community to ensure it remains inclusive, welcoming, and safe for everyone. Every resident deserves to feel heard and valued. I believe in sustainable growth that protects our green spaces, creates walkable neighborhoods, supports affordable housing, and strengthens our local economy. Transparent decision-making and thoughtful planning are essential; our residents’ voices should guide every level of town decisions. As a teacher, scientist, and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I know that progress and compassion can go hand in hand. Henrietta thrives when we lead with inclusion, sustainability, and heart.
Millie Sefranek, D
Age: 49
Current or prior elected office: Henrietta Town Board 2020 – 2024
Professional experience: Over 20 years in workforce development. I identified areas of need and developed programs to meet that need through grants, relationships, and advocacy. I have years of board service in a range of areas that gives me the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to address issues related to budgets, land use, and zoning.
Top priority: Controlled development with radical advocacy for green space.
Monroe County Legislature, 12th District
Deborah Campanella, C, Westside First
Age: 58
Current or prior elected office: Councilwoman in Town of Riga, elected for four consecutive terms since 2008
Professional experience: Legal and Insurance Operations Manager for a global tech company with experience in contracting, compliance, risk and corporate insurance portfolio management. Also, a 20 year Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker with RE/MAX Realty Group. In addition to professional and elected roles, I am a Riga Cemetery Board Member and serve as the Republican Conference of the Legislature’s Appointee on the Board of Directors of the Monroe County Land Bank.
Top priority: My priorities for Riga, Wheatland and Henrietta residents are public safety, supporting those who protect and serve our neighborhoods, building a strong local economy, reducing wasteful spending and taxes, and fostering a business-friendly environment that empowers innovation and entrepreneurship. I am committed to safe neighborhoods and schools, well-maintained infrastructure, affordable access to essential needs, and ample public utilities and parks. Preserving our community’s unique character and ensuring the westside remains a great place for families to live, work, and raise children are central to my mission.
Nazish N. Jeffery, D
Age: 33
Current or prior elected office: None.
Professional experience: Trained as a scientist, I bring an analytical and evidence-based approach to policy development and implementation. I have federal policy experience through my work, where I focus on economic development, agriculture, energy, and science policy. My work involves conducting research, providing policy analysis, and engaging with federal stakeholders to inform and shape effective public policy.
Top priority: One of my top priorities is building a strong, inclusive local economy that creates good jobs, supports small businesses, and invests in agriculture, all while keeping things affordable. By advocating for smart economic development we can continue to strengthen our communities and lay the foundation for long-term affordable growth.
Leslie Schildt, R
Age: 42
Current or prior elected office: Chair of the Riga Zoning Board of Appeals
Professional experience: I am a licensed attorney with 18 years of experience in international, state, and local government. I served in The Hague, assisting in the prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity from Darfur, Sudan. For nearly eight years, I worked in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting cases ranging from public corruption and child abuse to homicide. For the past six years, I’ve served as a court attorney for the New York State Supreme Court. I also serve as the Chair of the Riga Zoning Board of Appeals.
Top priority: Monroe County needs a strong advocate for law and order, fiscal responsibility, and accountable government. For nearly two decades, I’ve fought for integrity and justice as a prosecutor, attorney, and public servant. I’m not a politician; I’m a lifelong public servant who believes in protecting taxpayers and restoring trust in county government. My top priorities are supporting law enforcement and first responders, fighting soaring taxes, stopping government overreach, preserving rural and agricultural land, and serving as a watchdog to ensure our tax dollars are used responsibly.
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Instagram @bykaylacanne. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Who’s on my ballot in Henrietta? Election 2025 candidates
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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