Sanford’s Eric Small withdraws as the Republican nominee for House District 143
Sanford Chief of Police Eric Small, the Republican nominee for the House District 143 seat representing the city, withdrew from the race, saying neither party represents his values. (Courtesy of Eric Small)
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Sanford Chief of Police Eric Small is withdrawing as the Republican nominee in House District 143 and plans to register as an unenrolled voter, saying neither party represents his values.
The Sanford Republican Committee has until 5 p.m. on the fourth Monday in July, which is July 26, to select a replacement nominee, according to Maine election statutes.
Small ran uncontested in the primary on June 9, but said in a statement on Friday that his personal beliefs no longer align with those of the Republican party.
“I spent a long time trying to convince myself that I still fit within the Republican Party,” he said. “The truth is that I don’t.”
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He said that neither party represents his values enough to identify with, and that he intends to register as unenrolled.
“I support a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions, and I support the right of LGBTQ individuals to live their lives free from unnecessary government intrusion,” he said. “Reasonable people can disagree on these issues, but I believe personal liberty must be applied equally to all. “
Small declined a request for an interview, saying he wasn’t going to comment beyond what he said in his statement.
Small would have been running against Democratic nominee John Henkelman for the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Ann Fredericks.
John Bott, communications director for the Maine House Republicans, said it is up to the local Republican committees represented by the House district in question to designate an official replacement.
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House District 143 strictly represents Sanford, which means the Sanford Republican Committee will select a date to caucus for a replacement, though no official dates had been announced as of Tuesday.
Once a replacement is selected by the committee, the Maine Department of the Secretary of State will update the ballots accordingly, either producing new ballots or amending/supplementing ballots already printed.
Small said his commitment to the people of Sanford will continue as police chief.
“That service has never been about politics. It has always been about doing what I believe is right, solving problems, and treating people fairly,” he said. “That commitment will continue.”
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Tagged: election 2026, Maine House Republicans, maine politics
Abigail is a community reporter for Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Sanford, and Wells. She recently moved up to Maine from Connecticut after getting her bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism at the University. More by Abigail Driscoll
