The Maine Democratic Party has asked its nominee to drop out of the race for district attorney in Cumberland County, a party spokesman said Monday.
Jon Gale, 51, is a Portland resident who runs a solo defense practice. He won a three-way race during the Democratic primary in June. His opponent in November is independent Jonathan Sahrbeck, who currently works as an assistant district attorney in Cumberland County.
Party Chairman Phil Bartlett asked Gale to immediately withdraw his candidacy because of unspecified allegations, according to a statement released by the party Monday. The spokesman said in the statement that the allegations were “of the same tenor” as those reported Monday by the Bangor Daily News, which posted anonymous accusations of sexual misconduct with colleagues at a previous workplace. No details of the alleged conduct were included in that report.
The Democratic spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
Gale did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. He previously told the Portland Press Herald that he had left that job at Unum on his own accord.
This is the first time in 28 years that the seat has been open. Incumbent Stephanie Anderson took office in 1991 and has been re-elected six times. She is not seeking re-election and has endorsed Sahrbeck as her replacement.
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