ALFRED — York County’s chief deputy is now York County’s sheriff-elect.

William “Bill” King sailed past his two competitors Tuesday for the Democratic nomination for York County sheriff. And because there are no Republicans or unenrolled candidates in the November race, he is poised to be the county’s next top cop, come Jan. 1 when the new, four-year term begins. He will succeed Maurice Ouellette, who is winding down his second term as sheriff.

King, of Saco, earned 3,976 votes in unofficial totals from the 29 municipalities that make up York County, while his closest competitor, South Berwick Police Chief Dana Lajoie, earned 2,159 votes. Former deputy sheriff Paul Main of Alfred trailed the pack, earning 1,875 votes.

The numbers, said King shortly before 1 a.m., affirm voters’ confidence in the sheriff’s office.

“I am honored and humbled by the people of York County,” said King.

He said voters looked at the candidates and the issues, and made the logical choice.

King, Lajoie and Main were vying to lead a department that includes a 24-deputy rural patrol division that operates with a $2.5 million budget; a jail with a staff of about 95 at full strength and an inmate population of about 200 per day; and a budget that includes $8.3 million in county funds and $2 million from a couple of state sources. County jails, which used to operate solely as county entities, are now consolidated with the state under the direction of the Board of Corrections. The sheriff’s office also maintains a civil process division.

King, 60, worked for 26 years for the Office of the Inspector General of the federal justice department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency before moving back to Maine in 2008. He has taught criminal justice in Georgia and Maine, and his federal service also included a stint with the CIA.

King is best known for his vigilance in fighting financial scams originating in Jamaica that prey on the elderly. He met with government officials there and testified before a U.S. Senate committee on the subject in 2013. Since then, the Jamaican government passed laws in an attempt to address the scams, though the incidents continue.

When he announced his candidacy in January, King pledged to work with the National Employees Correctional Union and the County Patrol Association. He has acknowledged the high turnover of corrections staff at York County Jail, which resulted in three staffing emergencies this winter and spring, whereby workers were mandated to take several overtime shifts each week.

Main, in a Facebook posting, thanked his supporters for their hard work. This was his second run at the sheriff’s office; he lost a primary to Ouellette four years ago.

“I am so proud of you,” he wrote. “I did my best, but it wasn’t enough.”

Lajoie also thanked his supporters.

“It has been fun,” he said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].