By Senator Scott Cyrway

For decades, I have walked the beat, patrolled our roads, and worked within our halls of justice to keep Maine families safe. From my early days as a deputy sheriff in Kennebec County to my time in the State Senate, my guiding star has always been the rule of law.

But today, I look at our state and see a growing shadow. Maine is in real trouble, and if we do not act decisively, the safety and security we once took for granted will become a relic of the past.

We are currently facing a convergence of crises: an unchecked drug epidemic, a rise in organized crime, and a legal system that too often prioritizes the comfort of the offender over the protection of the victim. Our law enforcement officers are being asked to do more with less, facing recruitment shortages and a political climate that often feels more hostile than supportive. Maine doesn’t just need a manager in the governor’s office; we need a proven crime fighter. That is why I am proudly endorsing Bobby Charles for governor.

A Career Built on Justice

My endorsement isn’t based on political convenience; it’s based on a shared lifetime of service. My own career has been defined by the front lines—serving as one of Kennebec County’s most decorated deputies, receiving the Valor and Life Saving awards, and spending years as a D.A.R.E. coordinator to keep our kids off drugs. I know what professional, effective law enforcement looks like.

Bobby Charles doesn’t just talk about “law and order”—he has lived it at the highest levels. Bobby served as the Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. He led the fight against global drug cartels and worked as chief counsel in the U.S. House of Representatives, overseeing national security and criminal justice. He understands the mechanics of crime from the street level to the federal level.

The Stakes for Maine

The statistics are sobering. While Maine remains a beautiful place to live, our small towns are being hollowed out by fentanyl, and we are now being targeted by sophisticated international crime syndicates. We are seeing hundreds of illegal, Chinese-owned marijuana houses popping up in our quiet neighborhoods, bringing with them a wave of foreign money laundering and a direct slap in the face to our sovereignty.

Bobby Charles has made a clear, no-nonsense promise: he will increase the law enforcement presence across all 16 counties and ensure that federal and state authorities are working together, not at cross-purposes, to shut these cartels down. He is the only candidate with the background to dismantle the trafficking networks that treat our state like an open market.

As I’ve often said, “Maine is at a crossroads where the safety of our citizens must come before the politics of the day.” We cannot afford to experiment with leadership. We need a governor who has stared down criminals and understands the weight of a badge.

Bobby Charles is a man of integrity, experience, and action. He is the crime fighter Maine needs to restore the peace and ensure that our state remains the safest place in the nation to raise a family. Join me in supporting a leader who will always have the backs of those who wear the uniform.

Scott Cyrway is a Republican State Senator from Albion and a former Kennebec County Deputy Sheriff.