Knox County Sheriff Patrick Polky issued the following statement June 10, a day after the primary elections at which voters gave him the Democratic nomination to run for reelection in the Nov. 3 general elections.

Following the release of the unofficial June 9 counts, which earned Polky a sizeable lead over competitor John Hansen, he said he was deeply grateful for his volunteers, supporters, and family.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by these unofficial primary results," said Polky, in the release. "While we wait for the final certification, this initial tally belongs to everyone who believes in a safe, professional, and stable Knox County. I want to extend a sincere thank you to John Hansen for a spirited primary campaign. To those who voted for John: I hear you, and I deeply respect your investment in our county's future. Moving forward, my door is always open. I am committed to earning your trust, partnership, and vote this November."

Polky said his campaign is running on a platform, "anchored in operational stability, proven administrative success, and high-standard public safety. Key achievements and focus points highlighted by his campaign include:

Department-Wide Staffing Stability: Maintaining a fully staffed law enforcement department with zero turnover since January 2025.

Corrections Excellence: Sustaining full staffing in the county corrections division since last summer.

Fiscal Accountability: Deepening collaboration with local towns, county stakeholders, and regional partners to maximize smart investments in the community while protecting taxpayer dollars.

Certified Standards: Ensuring an administration strictly grounded in modern, certified law enforcement standards.

"Knox County requires steady, proven leadership to protect and build upon the incredible operational stability we have worked hard to achieve," Polky said, in the release. "Our campaign stands for inclusive public safety, deep administrative experience, and transparent leadership that serves every resident of Knox County—regardless of political party. The primary results are unofficial, but our most important work is just beginning. Let's keep this momentum going into November!"

Polky is a life-long resident of St. George and the incumbent Knox County Sheriff. He currently holds professional certifications from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) as a Law Enforcement Officer, Corrections Officer, and Law Enforcement Instructor. His extensive leadership background includes training with the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA), the U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System (NCOPDS), and the MCJA.

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Authorized by the candidate and paid for by Tara Elwell, Treasurer.