PARIS — Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant overwhelmingly won another four-year term as the county’s top cop.

With 35 of 37 towns reporting as of Wednesday evening, Gallant had 16,628 votes to defeat challenger and former Deputy Mike Parshall of Upton, who received 8,192.

Results from Upton and Albany Township, which have just over 400 registered voters combined, were unavailable Wednesday night.

“I think the people of Oxford County have spoken about what they want for professional law enforcement in the county,” Gallant said.

In a phone interview Wednesday morning, Gallant said that with the election past him, it’s time to get back to business.

“I didn’t have to go out and beat on doors and spend money. I think my work ethic spoke for itself. I’m always out there, always working, and I think the people saw and respected that,” he said.   

After spending the day traveling to the polls at towns across the county Tuesday, Gallant stayed up until 2 a.m. watching the results come in across the state from his home in Rumford. Gallant would go on to win Rumford, the county’s largest town by registered voters, with 87 percent of the vote. 

“To get that much support … you’d think over 25 years I’d make more enemies and get less votes,” he said.

Gallant, 64, has lived in Oxford County his entire life. He served for more than 25 years with the Rumford Police Department before leaving the job to become the police chief of Wilton. He was elected county sheriff in 2006, and ran unopposed in 2010. 

During the campaign, Gallant ran on his record, noting that the decision to end call sharing with the Maine State Police had saved taxpayers money without compromising safety, attracted grants to conduct patrols along the U.S. border and expanded the department, making it a visible presence in the lives of residents. 

Relaxed and confident in the run-up to the race, Gallant said he was optimistic about his chances after talking to voters. 

“I work a lot of hours, see a lot of people. I felt confident I stood a good chance of being re-elected,” he said 

After holding his swearing-in ceremony in Augusta last year, Gallant said he wanted to host the Jan. 1 ceremony in Oxford County. 

“More than likely this will be my last time, so I’m going back to Rumford,” he said.

ccrosby@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link