AUBURN — Androscoggin County’s largest union, including deputies, corrections officers and dispatchers, has endorsed Eric Samson for sheriff.

“Eric understands the challenges facing the Sheriff’s Department and citizens of Androscoggin County,” Delbert Mason, president of the Androscoggin County Employee Association, said in a prepared statement. “Under his leadership and guidance, every citizen of Androscoggin County can be assured they are receiving the most effective and beneficial service from the Sheriff’s Department.”

Samson, a Democrat from Auburn, is in a three-way race to replace two-term Sheriff Guy Desjardins, who is running for the state Senate District 22 seat.

All three candidates work at the Sheriff’s Department.

Ray Lafrance, an independent from Poland, is the department’s patrol captain.

Tim Lajoie, a Republican from Lewiston, works as a corrections officer.

Samson works as a patrol deputy.

The union represents 71 workers.

dhartill@sunjournal.com