Secretary of State Rules Androscoggin Sheriff’s Challenger Ineligible to Run, Essentially Securing the Incumbent Democrat’s Victory

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled last week that independent Androscoggin sheriff’s candidate Kevin Nichols is ineligible to run for the position following a challenge from incumbent Democrat Eric Samson.

[RELATED: Republican Oxford Sheriff Candidate Admits to Errors After Incumbent Republican Files Ethics Complaint Against Him…]

The ruling, handed down on June 10, essentially secures Samson’s re-election, with no other third-party candidates and no Republican challengers set to appear on the November ballot.

“Based on the proceedings and the evidence, I agree with the conclusion and recommendation submitted by the hearings officer that Mr. Nichols lacks the supervisory experience required by law to hold this position,” said Bellows in her ruling.

Samson filed his challenge in late May, alleging that Nichols does not meet the statutory requirements to run for sheriff. Under Maine law, someone must have served in a supervisory law enforcement role for at least two years, with some exceptions, in order to run for sheriff.

Prior to the hearing, at which both Samson and Nichols had the opportunity to call witnesses and present evidence for their case, Nichols issued a lengthy public statement.

Nichols explained some of his employment history and why he believed that it qualified as supervisory experience, and urged Samson to withdraw his challenge and let the voters decide.

“I am asking you, Sheriff Samson, to withdraw your request to challenge my qualifications to be on the ballot in November and give the voters of Androscoggin County a choice,” said Nichols.

In 2015, Nichols voluntarily surrendered his law enforcement certification after viewing a suspect’s phone without a warrant while investigating a child sex crime. In January 2026, the Criminal Justice Academy ruled that he was eligible to reattain his certification.

Samson did not comply, and the proceedings continued.

Bellows ultimately ruled that Nichols’ experience with supervising inmates as a corrections officer, serving as a jail unit manager, and managing training courses does not qualify as supervisory experience under the statute.

The decision cited a precedent established in the April challenge of York Sheriff’s candidate David Corbett, who made similar arguments regarding what qualified as supervisory experience. Bellows ultimately ruled in favor of Corbett due to his meeting an exception in the qualification laws, but found that he did not meet the supervisory requirement.

[RELATED: SOS Office Recommends Republican York Sheriff Candidate Be Allowed to Run Following Hours-Long Hearing, Despite His False Attestation…]

“Under this reasoning, which was adopted by the Secretary in her final decision, Mr.
Nichols’ s arguments that his positions required supervision of criminal investigations, transport of inmates, a floor of the Androscoggin County Jail, or teaching a specialized training course are not ‘supervisory employment experience,'” said the decision.

Nichols issued a statement in response to the ruling, maintaining that he does have supervisory experience but announcing that he would not appear on the ballot. He has not announced any appeal of the ruling.

“My campaign for Sheriff of Androscoggin County has officially come to an end following the Secretary of State’s ruling to remove my name from the ballot. While this brings a definitive close to this specific chapter, I want to address the circumstances openly and express my deepest gratitude to the residents of Androscoggin County,” said Nichols.

“Congratulations to Sheriff Samson on securing another term and securing another half million dollars of taxpayer money each for you and Billy. With the assurance of this upcoming administration, I issue a direct challenge to the leadership of the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office: prioritize the financial realities of our hard-working taxpayers, look for active ways to reinvest in the community, and deliver the high standard of service that the residents of this county truly deserve. You have a chance to make a real difference. Think of others instead of yourselves. If you put a portion of the effort and county resources used to remove me from the ballot into giving back to the communities you serve, the citizens will thank you,” he added.

This year has seen a surprising amount of drama in sheriff’s races across the state. In addition to the York and Androscoggin challenges, a candidate running in Knox County, Albert Joy, was also challenged.

Incumbent Oxford County Sheriff Chris Wainwright filed an ethics complaint against challenger Frank Blauvelt Jr. in late May, alleging campaign finance violations.

In that case, Blauvelt readily admitted to the failing, blamed a lack of knowledge of campaign finance rules, and was fined a small amount of money. He was allowed to remain on the ballot.

Wainwright defeated Blauvelt in the Republican primary on June 9.