In the Sagadahoc sheriff's contest, Joel Merry of West Bath held a lead over interim sheriff Brett Strout of Topsham.

At 11 p.m., unofficial results showed that Merry led Strout 2,795 votes to 2,088 votes, or 57 percent to 43 percent.

The winner will replace Mark Westrum, who left the office early after charges of sexual harassment were levied against him.

As candidates, both men pledged to help the department move beyond the controversy and offered ideas to make the county safer.