Sanford police chief ends campaign for Chellie Pingree’s 1st District seat

Maine police chief drops out of race against Chellie Pingree

Sanford Police Chief Eric Small is ending his campaign for Maine’s 1st Congressional District to concentrate on his duties as police chief. In a statement, Small said, “As Sanford’s police chief, I have seen firsthand the challenges our families face — from public safety to affordability — and I believe real change begins right here at home.” Despite withdrawing from the congressional race, Small will now run for state representative.

Sanford's Police Chief Drops Out of Republican Contest to Challenge Pingree's CD1 Seat

Sanford Police Chief Eric Smalls ended his Republican bid for Rep. Chellie Pingree’s (D-Maine) First Congressional District (CD1) House seat on Monday, arguing that he will be a more effective police chief if he steps down from campaigning for Congress. [RELATED: Sanford Police Chief Eric Small to Run for Congress…] “This decision is not about [...] The post Sanford’s Police Chief Drops Out of Republican Contest to Challenge Pingree’s CD1 Seat a…

Sanford police chief ends campaign for Chellie Pingree’s 1st District seat

Republican Eric Small said he wants to stay close to home and will be pivoting his campaign to run for a seat in the Maine Legislature.

Sanford police chief ends bid for Maine’s 1st District

Republican Eric Small had launched a Republican bid to challenge longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree in the 2026 election.