DA backs sheriff’s opponent

PORTLAND – Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson said she is endorsing Sheriff Mark Dion’s opponent because of questions she has about Dion’s integrity.

Anderson, saying she has never endorsed a candidate for sheriff in her 12 years as county prosecutor, is supporting fellow Republican William Holmes. Anderson said questions about Dion’s personal use of the county credit card and his handling of prosecutions led her to support Holmes.

Anderson referred to Dion’s personal use of the county credit card in 2000. The sheriff reimbursed the county for the charges. She also questioned Dion’s promotion of two lieutenants without assembling a three-person board to conduct interviews, which was found to be in violation of the labor contract.

Dion, a Democrat who is seeking his second four-year term as sheriff, said he’s not surprised by Anderson’s announcement, which he termed “attack politics at its best.”