3 co-workers are running against each other in one of Maine’s most contested sheriff’s races

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Three colleagues are running for Piscataquis County sheriff — making it one of the most contested county-level races in Maine’s June primaries.

The county of roughly 17,000 people has three current Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office employees running for the seat that will be vacated later this year by Sheriff Bob Young. Young is not seeking reelection after eight years in the seat and 42 years in the office.

The Republican candidates are Sgt. Guy Dow, Lt. James Kane and Chief Deputy Todd Lyford. 

It’s an unusual race, both for the number of people running against each other for a sheriff’s seat and the fact that the candidates are all co-workers. The Bangor Daily News sat down last week with all three candidates, who have slightly different ideas of the best way to lead the office but ultimately say they respect each other and want what’s best for the county. 

Dow’s on-the-ground experience dealing with criminal activity sets him apart, he said. 

“Everybody has a bad day and I understand that,” the 58-year-old from Guilford said. “I have a knack of taking people from where they’re at and dealing with their problem and finding a solution.”

Kane, of Sangerville, has worked within the jail, dispatch and road patrol, the three different divisions within the sheriff’s office. The 54-year-old said he knows how to build relationships with other agencies because he’s worked with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“I have a lot of support from within the [sheriff’s office] and people that have worked here for years, that have worked with all of us,” Kane said. “I have a lot of respect for the community and I’ve worked very hard for the community for the last 30 years that I’ve been with this agency. I look forward to continuing that.”

As chief deputy, Lyford, 62, is overseeing those three divisions and works with the fire departments and emergency medical services. He’s also been before the Legislature to advocate for funding issues.

“My position has put me in the role where I can continue on and have the knowledge,” Lyford, who is from Brownville, said.

No Democrat filed for the June 9 primary, which means the winner of the Republican primary will likely become sheriff. A challenger could still run against the Republican nominee as either an independent or write-in candidate during the November election. 

The BDN asked all of the candidates the same questions. Their responses are included below in alphabetical order. 

Why are you running for Piscataquis County sheriff?

Dow has worked in the county where he grew up for 30 years. He wants to foster close relationships with other agencies and bring in a computer crimes unit as needed.

“I’ve been covering complaints for 30 years and it’s time for a change,” Dow said. “I have a vision for the department and it’s a young guy’s job.”

Kane has also been in the department for 30 years, and worked his way up through the ranks. Police work is changing and the department needs to keep up with that, he said.

“There’s major issues that are coming forward with law enforcement. Staffing is one of those, not only for patrol but corrections and dispatch, for the entire agency,” Kane said. “I want to continue the agency moving forward, and it’s something that I started working towards when I started on the job.”

Lyford said he knows about the issues facing the department, including the state’s increasingly stricter standards for the jail’s condition despite not providing more funding. He said he wants to add more technology to the department, including dashboard cameras and laptops into the cruisers.

“I just want to continue with what the current sheriff that I’m working for is doing, and add my flair to it,” Lyford said.

How does your experience qualify you for the role?

Dow started working with Greenville police in 1994 before moving to the sheriff’s office in 1997. 

During that time he’s worked on drug cases, financial fraud and embezzlement. 

“I grew up here, so I inherently know people and I get a lot of information and a lot of public trust,” Dow said.

He hasn’t worked in the jail or dispatch but he is in the union and represents those employees, so he has an understanding of their needs, he said. 

Kane started working part-time at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office 36 years ago and also worked in the jail and dispatch. He got a degree from the University of Maine and was hired by Piscataquis in 1996.

He worked road patrol until 2013 when he was promoted to lieutenant. He also spent three years working with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. 

Kane said he loves going into the schools and working with kids.

“[I] taught kids for 24 years, which is very special to me, working with the kids and helping them make good choices,” Kane said. 

Lyford started his career in 1985 in Milo, where he was promoted to police chief at 26 years old in the early 1990s. After 20 years he moved to the Brownville Police Department where he was chief, and then he worked as a sergeant for the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department for 12 years. 

When Young was elected sheriff, he tapped Lyford to be the chief deputy, a role he’s held since 2018. 

What happens after the election?

After the June 9 primary, the plan is to “keep on keeping on,” regardless of the outcome, Dow said. If he wins he said he will start planning for what his administration will look like.

Kane’s plan is to continue the work that’s happening and keep working for the people in the community, he said. 

“None of us get into this job for any other reason than we want to work for the community and we want to do what’s best for the people here,” Kane said. “We all obviously have our own opinions as to what’s best for the community. They’re probably pretty similar in what the needs are.”

Lyford is in a different position if he loses the primary. The chief deputy role is chosen by the sheriff, so his future will depend on who wins and, if it’s not Lyford, what that person chooses to do. 

“My future is kind of in limbo [if I lose],” Lyford said.

It will be a difficult choice for votes in June, Lyford said. But the trio agreed that the outcome will not change their relationships with each other. 

“I think we all are going to just continue on working together and be professional,” Lyford said. 

“Let the citizens of the county decide. That’s the beauty of our system is that people choose.”