The race for Hancock County’s top law enforcement officer has intensified following an unusual move by four Democratic state legislators, who have crossed party lines to endorse the Republican candidate. Republican Corey Bagley, an Ellsworth Police Department detective and former Hancock County chief deputy, and Democrat Dakota Dupuis, a current sheriff’s lieutenant, both expressed similar visions for the future of the sheriff’s office in recent interviews.
While both candidates favor community policing and enhanced mental health services, they differ significantly in their assessment of each other’s qualifications and ability to manage Hancock County’s chief law enforcement role. This dynamic plays out as current Sheriff Scott Kane, who has endorsed Dupuis, is not seeking re-election.
Four Democratic state legislators have endorsed Bagley, 57, who retired from the sheriff’s office in 2023 after 31 years of service. This cross-party endorsement is described as increasingly unique in today’s political climate. Dupuis, 31, has sought to distance himself from his current boss, Sheriff Kane. Dupuis stated, “We’re two different people,” and noted his disagreement with some past decisions made by the sheriff, including a 2021 instance where a provider was temporarily barred from offering addiction services to inmates at the county jail.
A letter, penned by three of the endorsing legislators and later joined by the fourth, criticized Dupuis for his association with Sheriff Kane, who was accused of leading a politically motivated investigation into one of the Democratic lawmakers now endorsing Bagley. The letter also alleged mismanagement of the sheriff’s office budget since Dupuis became lieutenant in 2024, a period during which he largely led daily operations as Sheriff Kane stepped back from managerial duties. However, contrary to the letter’s claim of a budget jump of more than $700,000 for 2025, county documents indicate an increase of $430,000 between 2024 and 2025.
Both candidates advocate for community policing, emphasizing officer visibility in towns through visits to schools, libraries, and municipal offices. They have also each promised to add a mental health liaison to their respective squads. Bagley aims to implement a program inspired by Bar Harbor’s Good Morning initiative, which provides daily wellness checks for senior residents and adults with disabilities. Dupuis, since his promotion to lieutenant, has worked to reestablish the sheriff office’s participation in the county’s drug treatment court.
Despite these shared objectives, both candidates question their opponent's viability as county sheriff. Bagley, whose law enforcement career spans longer than Dupuis has been alive, suggested his opponent lacks the necessary experience to lead Hancock County’s law enforcement division. Bagley pointed to significant turnover within the sheriff’s office since his departure, noting roughly 14 officers have left since 2023, which he believes reflects on leadership. He articulated a goal to hire and retain quality deputies, officers, and employees, and to enhance training in mental health for both officers and corrections staff.
Dupuis, conversely, contends that leadership roles have evolved considerably since Bagley’s time, characterizing the former chief deputy’s tenure as more akin to a road supervisor than an administrative manager. Bagley, however, refutes claims that he had no administrative role or was responsible for the 2022-23 budget, stating he was always involved in reviewing budget numbers and knows how to seek guidance when needed. He confirmed he hasn't personally prepared a county budget but has been involved in budget proposals for various volunteer organizations.
Beyond policing, Bagley has a history of community involvement, including over 30 years coaching youth sports and participation in local charities and nonprofits like the YMCA and veterans groups. He aims to prioritize mending what he described as strained relationships with various local law enforcement and first responder agencies within the county. Dupuis, on the other hand, recently registered as a Democrat in 2024, citing difficult experiences with the healthcare system as his motivation. He stated his alignment with Democratic beliefs, particularly universal healthcare, and argued that his community policing approach also aligns with many Democratic views.
The candidates hold similar views regarding the county’s role in coordinating with federal immigration officers. Both agree that state law does not permit county cooperation with federal authorities on immigration, and that the department is not responsible for inquiring about immigration status. Bagley underscored the importance of partnerships with state and federal agencies but agreed the sheriff’s office has no role in immigration enforcement. Dupuis shared a personal opinion that individuals seeking to better their lives or find opportunities should be welcome, but also supports immigration enforcement against those who commit crimes within communities.
