Sheriff Race in Maine Shadowed by Deadly Mass Shooting

Incumbent Joel Merry and challenger Aaron Skolfield face scrutiny over their roles in the Lewiston tragedy as the election nears.

Democratic Sheriff Joel Merry and Republican Sgt. Aaron Skolfield are running for Sagadahoc County sheriff, both linked to the response to last year's Lewiston mass shooting.
The October 2023 shooting by Army reservist Robert Card killed 18 people and injured 13 others, leading to intense scrutiny of law enforcement's actions.
Skolfield was criticized for not using Maine’s yellow flag law during a welfare check on Card, citing legal limitations as Card did not answer the door.
Merry, recovering from health issues at the time, defended Skolfield's actions but acknowledged that a fuller picture of Card’s mental health could have changed the response.
The yellow flag law has since been updated and used more frequently, reflecting changes prompted by the tragedy.