Sanford mayoral candidate was charged with OUI in September
Sanford Mayoral Candidate Matthew Dupuis Arrested on OUI Charge
SANFORD, ME – In a development that may affect this fall’s mayoral race, 37‑year‑old Matthew Dupuis, a Republican candidate for Sanford’s mayor, was taken into custody on September 30, 2026, for operating under the influence (OUI). Police records show the arrest occurred around 10 p.m. near the intersection of Bridge and Main Streets in downtown Sanford.
Dupuis was stopped by officers of the Sanford Police Department after a vehicle was pulled over. The officer on scene recorded the OUI charge, and the arrest log, available in the department’s public records, lists the citation. The department’s Police Chief Eric Small declined to release detailed reports, citing the investigation’s ongoing status.
Dupuis posted bail the same day, according to staff at the York County Courthouse. He is scheduled for arraignment on the morning of November 12. As of Wednesday, the York County District Attorney’s Office had not filed a formal complaint in the case, though court officials confirmed the arraignment date.
The candidate’s legal history includes a guilty plea to a Class D assault charge in 2021, per a state criminal background check. No additional charges have been disclosed.
Dupuis, who has not responded to calls or emails from reporters this week, has not publicly confirmed whether he has legal representation. His campaign office has yet to release a statement.
Impact on the Race
Dupuis is one of four contenders seeking the mayor’s office this fall. The other candidates include Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy, City Councilor Pete Tranchemontagne, and Daniel White. In the 2024 election, Dupuis finished third, receiving roughly 31 % of the vote compared with incumbent Becky Brink’s 55 %.
Dupuis has outlined a platform that focuses on halting a proposed data center and a sludge plant that are currently on the council’s agenda, and on bringing a veterans’ home to Sanford. Whether the OUI arrest will influence voter perceptions remains to be seen, but the timing could prove significant as the campaign season heats up.
Legal and Community Context
The arrest underscores the scrutiny public officials face as they run for office. Sanford’s mayoral race has already been marked by debates over development projects and community services. The city council’s recent moratorium on a sludge treatment plant and the extension of a data center moratorium to August 5 have drawn public attention to the mayoral candidates’ stances on environmental and economic issues.
Law enforcement officials have not provided further details on the incident beyond the charge and bail status. The investigation’s status means that additional information could emerge before Dupuis’s arraignment or during the course of the legal proceedings.
Moving Forward
As the legal process unfolds, Dupuis’s campaign and the Sanford community will be watching closely. The city’s election officials and the broader electorate will weigh the new development against the candidates’ records and policy proposals as November approaches.
