GOP endorses Canandaigua official for Ontario County clerk

CANANDAIGUA – In the wake of the unexpected death earlier this year of Ontario County Clerk Matthew Hoose, one and maybe more candidates will be running this November for the job. 

The position hadn't been on Jean Chrisman’s radar, but the death of Hoose, a Republican who had the job for 11 years, earlier this year changed things. 

Chrisman, who has served as Canandaigua town clerk for 10 years, has been endorsed for county clerk by the Ontario County Republican Committee. She said she is honored and grateful to be selected as the party's candidate and looks forward to working with staff.

Chrisman has more than 25 years of experience in local government with the town of Canandaigua, including serving as the town’s zoning officer for 16 years before becoming town clerk. The positions allowed her to work with town residents by assisting them with the permitting process, obtaining licenses and ensuring a transparent and efficient experience, said Chrisman.  

“Both positions required the handling of confidential information, excellent communication, outstanding customer service, leadership and teamwork,” Chrisman said. 

Chrisman is expected to face a challenge for the job.

The Ontario County Democratic Committee will have a candidate for county clerk, committee Chairman John F. Hurley said. 

“We are fully engaged in the task of gathering petition signatures so that our candidate can secure their place on the ballot,” Hurley said in an email. “We are very encouraged by the positive response they are getting from the voters they speak with.” 

Chrisman is president of the Ontario County Tax Collectors Association and treasurer of the Ontario County Town Clerks Association. She earned her registered municipal clerk certification from the New York State Town Clerks Association in 2017. 

The position of county clerk carries a four-year term. Hoose’s term would have expired at the end of the year. 

The Ontario County Board of Supervisors earlier in the year approved a no-confidence vote in Hoose, citing delays in required payments and providing reports to various state agencies and what supervisors said was a lack of communication in addressing their concerns with these alleged issues. 

Chrisman acknowledged a need to reorganize the office and bring it back into compliance with the state,. 

“I think I’m the right person to do that,” Chrisman said. 

Raised in Marion, Wayne County, she moved to the Canandaigua community in 1993 with her husband, Jerry. They have been married for 29 years and have a daughter, Heather. 

Chrisman received her associate’s degree from Monroe Community College in 1988. She and her husband have run in several half marathons and 5K races and she enjoys being outdoors, running, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, boating and exploring the country. 

“People describe me as a hard-working team player who is dedicated, detail-oriented, honest, innovative and compassionate,” said Chrisman.  

The county clerk is responsible for the care of civil and criminal records of state Supreme Court and Ontario County Court as well as the county’s public land records. The clerk also manages the state Department of Motor Vehicles offices in Canandaigua and Geneva.