NORWICH – On the steps of the Chenango County Courthouse, with the support of his family, the Republican party and three former Chenango County sheriffs, Undersheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. announced his candidacy for the office of sheriff Thursday.
“As I move forward, I am looking forward to an active campaign. Throughout my career it has been a great pleasure meeting and working with so many of the great people here in our county. I am looking forward to meeting and shaking hands with many more of you in the coming months,” said Cutting, whose official campaign will kick off June 9.
Tuesday, Sheriff Thomas J. Loughren said he was stepping down from his post June 8 after 28 years with the office, 18 of them as sheriff.
The 57-year-old sheriff was offered a new post as police chief for the Miccosukee Police Department in Miami, Fla. and was sworn in two weeks ago after a month-long vacation to the area. Loughren was a federal and state law enforcement officer with the Miccosukee PD back in the early 1980s and with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in 1989.
After announcing his resignation, Loughren told reporters that the next sheriff needed experience managing employees from all the different divisions in his office, which includes corrections, law enforcement and a civil department. He also said any candidate would need to manage a multi-million dollar budget.
“I will say that I have groomed a person that fits these qualifications, every one of them,” he said. Thursday, Loughren said that person was his second in command for the past seven years, Cutting. Cutting has been with the office for the last 23 years.
Retired Sheriff Joseph J. Benenati Jr. also attended the announcement. Cutting thanked Loughren, Benenati and retired Sheriff Morris Eccleston for their support of his candidacy.
Cutting, who is registered Republican, also has the support Chenango County Republican Party Chairman Thomas Morrone, who has scheduled a meeting of party affiliates on June 8 to endorse Cutting for the sheriff’s position. Another influential Republican offering his support is Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard B. Decker.
