The Sagadahoc County Democrats have decked their Topsham HQ out with signs in support of Democratic Sheriff Joel Merry for reelection to the position, but candidates for the State Legislature are somewhat recalcitrant to advertise their support.
Sheriff Merry is running for re-election as a 15-year Democratic incumbent, while the Republican challenger is Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Sgt. Aaron Skolfield, a 25-year veteran law enforcement officer.
Last year, both men found themselves at the heart of one of Maine’s darkest days and the investigation into law enforcement’s handling of Robert R. Card, Jr. in the weeks and months before his murder spree in Lewiston on Oct. 25.
The Sagadahoc County Democrats building in Topsham proudly displays political signs for Sheriff Merry alongside signs for Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), and state-level Democrats.
Card, who resided in Sagadahoc County, had previously been held at a psychiatric facility in New York at the request of the U.S. Army, which was concerned enough about his potential danger that they barred him from access to weapons at a U.S. Army Reserve facility in Saco.
Multiple messages about Card’s volatile state of mind and potential threat to others made their way to the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), which was in charge of conducting well-being checks and, theoretically, carrying out Yellow Flag protections to secure his firearms.
However, records released within days of the Lewiston shooting, which claimed the lives of 18 Mainers, showed that the SCSO made only half-hearted attempts to contact Card and relied on his family to handle his weapons.
Investigative reports released following the shooting have thoroughly panned the SCSO’s performance when it came to making contact with and evaluating Card.
Both Merry and Skolfield have faced criticism that they were not aggressive enough with Card.
Democrats running for office in the county were reluctant to comment on their party’s support for Merry.
“I don’t think it’s my place to comment on that issue,” said Denise Tepler, a former state representative who is now running for State Senate District 24.
Contacted for an interview, former Rep. Sean Paulhus (D-Bath), who resigned in 2023 but is running for re-election, refused to provide his opinion on Merry.
None of the other candidates responded to inquiries.
The chair of the Sagadahoc County Democrats did not return calls about his committee’s apparent endorsement of Merry.
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