Jeff Brown (left) and Ryan Mahan.

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

Early returns are rolling in in Saratoga County, where voters decided who will take the reins of one of the region’s largest law enforcement agencies.

Republican Jeff Brown was leading Democrat Ryan Mahan by 54.04% to 45.96%, with 70% of precincts reporting, as of 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The race to succeed longtime Sheriff Michael Zurlo — who is retiring after 16 years in office — drew sharp contrasts between the two.

Brown, the county’s current undersheriff, has spent 27 years in law enforcement, beginning his career as a deputy in 1998 before working as an investigator and eventually rising through the ranks. He has emphasized continuity, professionalism, and public trust as key pillars of his campaign, pointing to his experience leading daily operations within the department.

Mahan, the police chief of Hoosick Falls and a former Saratoga County sergeant, has focused his platform on reform and accountability. A former union president for the deputies’ association, he’s advocated for improving morale, retention, and officer well-being.

The winner will oversee a staff of more than 200 sworn and civilian personnel serving a population of roughly 240,000 residents — marking the first change in leadership in more than a decade and a half.

Official results will be certified by the Saratoga County Board of Elections in the coming days.