This year, Wheatland residents will cast their ballots for six, mostly uncontested, town positions. They will also cast their vote for their pick for a county legislature seat that represents Wheatland, along with 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.
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.
Wheatland Town Supervisor
Jim Kirch, R, C (incumbent)
Wheatland Town Board (2)
Steven T. Call, R
Age: 60
Current or prior elected office: None.
Professional experience: Worked over 30 years as a middle and high school science teacher and coach in the Wheatland-Chili CSD. Held various elected positions in the teachers’ union, serving as vice-president for 12 years.
Top priority: Lower taxes! (Which is in line with our current town supervisor.) Create a more transparent Town Board and town government. Clean up the assessments with a local business. Do what we can to get water to Wheatland residents whose well water is undrinkable, in a fiscally responsible manner. Hopefully, build a town or community dog park.
Timothy Davis, R, C (incumbent)
Age: 47
Current or prior elected office: Current Wheatland Town Board member since 2021. Previously held the position of Mumford Fire District Commissioner (2016-2020)
Professional experience: 27 years as a transportation engineering technician
Top priority: I am a fifth generation Wheatland resident and the incumbent in this position. I am running to represent the interests of all of Wheatland while sustaining the quality of life residents enjoy. I want to keep Wheatland adapting to changing times so it remains a community young residents will seek out to buy a home and raise a family. We need to help preserve the safe, small-town feel that my wife and I have had the good fortune of raising our family in.
Joseph Snyder, C
No reply received in time.
Wheatland Highway Superintendent
Brian Turner, R, C (incumbent)
Wheatland Town Justice (2)
Nicole E. Bayly, R, C (incumbent)
Michael Smith, R, C (incumbent)
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 Wheatland? Election 2025 candidates
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
