This year, Penfield residents will cast their ballots for five town positions, two state Supreme Court judgeships and a Family Court judge.
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.
Penfield Town Supervisor
Kevin D. Berry, D, WF
Age: 61
Current or prior elected office: Current Penfield Town Councilmember
Professional experience: Vice President of Operations at The Arc Wayne
Top priority: Actively listening to residents and taking action on what matters most: Safer roads, smart development, diverse housing for young workers and seniors, low taxes, and quality services like the library and community programs. I am a qualified leader ready to guide Penfield into a new era. After over 40 years of a one-party majority, it’s time for change. Residents want a distinctive town without over-commercialization, yet with revitalized storefronts and a strong business culture. I will collaborate with regional partners and champion Penfield’s interests. I will cultivate an inclusive community where all residents and town employees feel valued.
Jeffrey N. Leenhouts, R, C (incumbent)
Age: 59
Current or prior elected office: I’m completing my first term as Penfield Town Supervisor.
Professional experience: Worked in finance and project management, with firms such as Smith Barney, RBC Wealth Management, Home Leasing, and Home Properties. Outside of work, volunteered with organizations like Penfield Little League, the Boys & Girls Club, the Boy Scouts of America Seneca Waterways Council, the Center for Youth, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital, Rochester Regional Health Foundation, Rochester Rotary, and the Rochester Police Foundation.
Top priority: I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but I know there’s more to do. Every day I come to work excited to serve this community and to continue building on the success we’ve achieved together. One of the best parts of this job is meeting residents in the halls of town hall or at the recreation center, hearing their ideas, and working with our incredible team of 140 employees who make Penfield such a great place to live. My top priority is to keep improving the quality of life for all residents while maintaining the strong services, fiscal responsibility, and hometown character that make Penfield special.
Penfield Town Board (2)
Jon P. Getz, D, WF
Age: 58
Current or prior elected office: None.
Professional experience: Attorney and Certified Mediator
Top priority: I believe that Penfield needs new vision and approaches to improve important issues in our community. Open communication, a review of town policy, and clear actions are needed to address significant housing, infrastructure, and road safety concerns in our town. I believe I have a skillset and ability to collaborate with people to make positive changes in a town I care about so much. I am committed to working with everyone in our town to make it an even better place to live.
Bill Lang, D, WF
Age: 40
Current or prior elected office: None.
Professional experience: Director of Development for the Town of Irondequoit
Top priority: I am here because I am disappointed that the Town of Planned Progress has become a punchline. I am discouraged and have seen firsthand how dangerous our roads have become. I am dismayed by the reports I hear from current town employees that talk about untenable situations at work. I want to help change all of that. I want to be someone that you know will always answer your questions, even if the answer may not be what you want to hear. I have the relationships, experience and connections to improve the quality of life for all residents.
Candace M. Lee, R, C (incumbent)
Age: 39
Current or prior elected office: Town Councilwoman
Professional experience: Licensed attorney and works as senior counsel for a not-for-profit health care organization in New York. Also served on various boards and committees in the greater Rochester area, namely the Monroe County Bar Association Ethics Committee (2018-2021) and actively supports agencies (including faith-based entities) in education, behavioral therapies, and other services for neurodiverse individuals.
Top priority: As a third-party candidate, Candace has been vocal to encourage bipartisan participation on various issues, particularly with the workings of town committees, to benefit all residents and improve government accessibility and inclusion. She remains committed to ensure town facilities, recreation, and programming can be accessible to all abilities and their families.
Robert F. Ockenden, R, C (incumbent)
Age: 57
Current or prior elected office: Finishing my sixth year as a town councilman.
Professional experience: Worked as a municipal administrator in the field of public safety, spending over 40 years volunteering in local emergency services. Also served as the town’s liaison to emergency service organizations and as an elected fire commissioner for 15 years, overseeing budgets, operations, and personnel to strengthen local fire protection and safety services.
Top priority: Maintaining a strong, well-supported workforce to continue delivering the high-quality services Penfield residents expect and deserve ― while upholding fiscal responsibility and a steadfast commitment to community safety.
Penfield Town Clerk
Amy M. Steklof, R, C (incumbent)
Penfield Town Justice
James P. Mulley Jr., R, C (incumbent)
— 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 Penfield? Election 2025 candidates
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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