A Hope man said he is running for Knox County Sheriff to restore visibility, accountability, and confidence in the office.
Albert “A.J.” Joy is running as an independent candidate, not enrolled in a political party. He said he and volunteers are collecting the 300 signatures needed to get on the Nov. 3 ballot. The deadline for unenrolled candidates to file their nomination papers with the Maine Secretary of State to get on the general election ballot is June 1.
Joy is owner of Dirigo Driving Academy, which he and his wife started in 2019. Before that, he served as a police officer and detective in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“I’m running for Knox County Sheriff because public safety is trending in the wrong direction. Traffic fatalities have increased significantly since 2020, and at the same time, Knox County has seen fewer and fewer high-visibility patrols. When people don’t see law enforcement, deterrence drops—and the consequences are real,” Joy said.
He said he has become increasingly concerned with reports and statements indicating standing orders limiting active patrols due to budget constraints.
“Public safety cannot take a back seat to poor management. The Sheriff’s Office must be run like a business—efficient, accountable, and focused on delivering results for the taxpayers who fund it,” Joy said.
If Joy makes the ballot, he will vie for the seat along with the Democratic primary winner. Incumbent Sheriff Patrick Polky, a Democrat, and fellow Democrat John Hansen square off on the June 9 primary ballot. The winner in November will serve for four years.
He said he cares deeply about Knox County’s youth. Dirigo serves 500 families a year and those young people drive a combined 150,000 miles annually. He said through the driving academy he has helped youth build safe habits that last a lifetime.
“Their safety—and their future—is a major reason I’m running,” Joy said.
He said his priorities will be a working sheriff on patrol alongside deputies who will restore high-visibility patrols to deter crime and improve safety across county roads and neighborhoods. He said he will also run the department like a business.
“As a business owner, I understand accountability. I will run the Sheriff’s Office with efficiency, discipline, and transparency—ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively and the department operates at full capacity,” Joy said.
Joy has a website, AJforSheriff.com, for ongoing updates and more information about the campaign.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
