Caption: Smith is flanked by the former and current Cattaraugus County Sheriff
From Ashely Smith for District Attorney,
(Allegany, NY) The current and former Cattaraugus County Sheriffs have endorsed Republican Ashley Smith in this year’s race for District Attorney. Current Sheriff Eric Butler and his predecessor, former Sheriff Tim Whitcomb, announced the endorsement in a recent letter to members of the Cattaraugus County Republican Committee.
Smith is an experienced attorney and prosecutor who currently serves as Cattaraugus County Attorney. She announced her candidacy for District Attorney last month. This election will be for an open seat following incumbent Lori Reiman’s announcement that she will not run for re-election.
In their joint letter of endorsement (attached), Sheriffs Butler and Whitcomb wrote, “Between the two of us, we’ve led the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office for the past 17 years and have a combined 60+ years of professional law enforcement experience. We’ve spent countless hours working with prosecutors, including five different District Attorneys, to ensure that our communities are as safe as possible.
“Over the years, we’ve both worked with Ashley Smith in her role as Cattaraugus County Attorney. She has always demonstrated an exceptional commitment to justice, integrity, and the safety of our community. She has proven time and again that she is a dedicated advocate for victims, a fair and thoughtful decision-maker, and a staunch supporter of our law enforcement officers. Her collaborative approach ensures that justice is served while respecting the rights of all citizens,” said Sheriffs Butler and Whitcomb.
“I’m honored to have the Eric’s and Tim’s support. They’ve given so much to our community, working for decades to make Cattaraugus County a safer place for all families,” said Smith. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside them to make sure that crime is prosecuted firmly, fairly, efficiently and effectively in Cattaraugus County.”
Since 2020, Ashley has served as Cattaraugus County Attorney, where she has prosecuted serious cases involving neglect and abuse, family offenses, juvenile delinquency and more. She also prosecutes civil cases on behalf of the County, serves as legal counsel to the County Legislature and 24 county departments, supervises a staff of 14, and manages a $1.5 million office budget. She previously served as First Assistant Social Services Attorney, where she handled serious cases involving child protective services, abuse and neglect, custody, child support, adult protection, and more.
The Sheriffs’ letter also said, “Ashley’s vision for a safer Cattaraugus County aligns with the values we hold dear. Her plans to address issues such as drug-related crimes, domestic violence, and community outreach are not just promises but well-informed strategies grounded in her years of experience and dedication.”
Ashley lives in Allegany and is the proud mom of four. She is a graduate of Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School, Gannon University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Primary Election Day is slated for June 24, 2025, while the General Election will be held on November 4, 2025. Early Voting and Absentee Voting will be available for both elections.
