Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – Incumbent Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese this week announced his re-election bid in 2023. Ferrarese was elected to his first four-year term in the 2019 election after having served as a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s Office for more than a decade. This past Saturday, he was unanimously endorsed for re-election by the Chenango County Republican Committee.

“I’m running for re-election as Chenango County District Attorney because nothing is more important to me than keeping the children and families of our communities safe,” said Ferrarese, 52. “I’ve spent my career prosecuting criminals and removing dangerous criminals from our streets, but there is much more work to be done.”

During his dozen years with the District Attorney’s Office, including the last four as District Attorney, Ferrarese has overseen thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases involving all manners of crimes – from murder to assault to drug trafficking and more.

Ferrarese’s first term saw unprecedented challenges when the COVID pandemic upended the courts and criminal justice system. Under his leadership, the D.A.’s Office handled more than 1,000 misdemeanor and over 300 felony cases during this extremely difficult timeframe, and not a single case was dismissed due to a lack of timely prosecution. Additionally, Ferrarese led the office through massive changes to “Discovery” protocols and Bail Reform due to significant criminal justice reforms passed at the State Capital in Albany.

“I’m extremely proud at how our office tackled these considerable challenges to keep Chenango County safer,” added Ferrarese. “Whether it was handling cases virtually during the pandemic or contending with Albany’s so-called Bail Reform - which sometimes treats criminals better than their crime victims - my office has strived to do the right thing every time and ensure justice is done in Chenango County.”

Beyond the borders of Chenango County, Ferrarese has been recognized as a leader in law enforcement as a member of the Boards of Directors for the District Attorneys Association of New York State and the National District Attorneys Association. These two organizations bring prosecutors together to advocate for legislation and policy changes to more effectively combat crime and deliver justice for crime victims.

Aside from his work as a prosecutor, Ferrarese has contributed countless hours to community organizations, including serving on the Boards of Directors for the Chenango Foundation, Norwich YMCA, Chenango County Council on the Arts and Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County. He has also volunteered for the Chenango County SPCA and numerous additional community events and organizations.

Ferrarese joined the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office in 2010 and was promoted to First Assistant District Attorney in 2015. He served as Acting District Attorney in 2019 before being successfully elected to a full four-year term.

A graduate of Manhattan College and Albany Law School, Ferrarese lives in Oxford with his wife, Heather (Bartle), and their daughter, Jillian.

The 2023 General Election is slated for November 7. 

– From Michael Ferrarese's re-election campaign