Sanford Police Chief Eric Small is running to unseat Maine 1st District Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree.
Small is a career law enforcement officer who announced his candidacy Monday, calling Pingree a career politician.
“While career politicians like Chellie Pingree are busy playing D.C. games, Maine families are struggling with rising crime, open borders, and failed drug policies that are destroying our towns,” said Small in a statement.
He also said Maine has become a sanctuary city for people who break immigration laws. “Sanctuary policies tie the hands of law enforcement, weaken public safety, and send the wrong message, that the rule of law is optional,” Small said. “The idea that we should now shield individuals here illegally, while our own citizens are struggling, is not just bad policy, it’s insulting.”
Small is the fourth Republican to enter next year’s race against Pingree, who has represented the 1st District since 2009.
He was appointed Sanford Police Chief last October after the retirement of Craig Andersen. Small started his law enforcement career with the Berwick Police Department in 2001 and joined the Sanford police force in 2008.
