BIDDEFORD, Maine - "A man is dead in Biddeford this morning, and Maine deserves the truth about what happened. We don't have full details yet, and anyone claiming to know exactly what happened is getting ahead of the facts. What I do know is this: federal agents put their lives on the line every day, often in split-second, dangerous situations, and if an agent's life was threatened, he had every right under the law to protect himself, just as any Maine citizen would. What happened in the moments before that decision was made is now for Maine's Attorney General and the FBI to determine, thoroughly and transparently."

As a federal investigator, and federal litigator, I believe in due process, the presumption of innocence, and letting facts, not politics, drive our conclusions. That applies to everyone involved. Maine is one of the most law-abiding states in the country, and we owe our law enforcement-local, state, and federal - our respect and our support. We also welcome, wholeheartedly, every lawful immigrant who comes here to work, to assimilate, and to build a life under our laws.

"As governor, I will be a crimefighter for this state. I will protect Maine, defend the rule of law, and make sure due process and constitutional protections, the same ones guaranteed to every one of us, are never treated as optional. Biddeford deserves answers, and Maine deserves a leader who will get them, the right way."

Bobby Charles is the Republican candidate for Governor of Maine in 2026. Learn more at bobbyformaine.com.