AUGUSTA — The three candidates hoping to be Maine’s next governor offer different perspectives on how — or whether — they would cooperate with federal immigration agents if elected.

On Nov. 3, Maine voters will decide whether Democrat Hannah Pingree, Republican Bobby Charles or independent Rick Bennett will lead the state for the next four years.

Pingree, a former Maine House speaker, said she supports new state laws taking effect this week that restrict local law enforcement, schools, libraries and those who work in other public spaces from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

“I’ve heard a lot of concern from people across Maine who want to see how the governor, how the state, how the attorney general can better protect people in the state of Maine,” she said. “People all over the state, especially in Biddeford, are feeling unsafe in a community that for many years has always felt very safe.”

The fear in Biddeford follows the July 13 shooting and killing of Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero, 25, who was shot by an ICE agent while on his way to work. An investigation is ongoing, but federal officials have confirmed that Guerrero was not the intended target of the immigration enforcement action.

Charles, an attorney, lobbyist and former Naval Intelligence Officer, said in a statement that his “top priority will be the public safety of all of Maine residents.”

“As governor, I will work with federal law enforcement on violent and repeat offenders, but there are limits,” he said. “As governor, I will enforce all state laws.”

Independent Rick Bennett, a state senator and former Republican, voted in favor of the new state laws restricting cooperation with ICE. As governor, he said he would work with the federal government “to protect real public safety” but does not support what he views as unnecessary interference.

“There is a big difference between lawful cooperation and turning state and local systems into extensions of fear-driven federal enforcement,” he said. “Our immigrant and refugee neighbors are part of Maine, and they should not be forced to live in fear because Washington politicians want to score points.”

Pingree said while other states have tried to pass laws to require agents to remove masks, wear body cameras and show identification, she would look to work with other state leaders.

“I think it’s about working with other governors across the country, attorneys general, to actually hold ICE accountable,” she said.

She said she would also work with the state’s congressional delegation — she is the daughter of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-1st District) — to try to better regulate ICE operations in the states.

In January, ICE launched “Operation Catch of the Day,” which is how the federal government described its goal to arrest the “worst of the worst” in Maine. The agents picked up nearly 200 people, only 11 of whom had a criminal record, according to the Bangor Daily News.

When it comes to the Guerrero shooting earlier this month, Charles called for “full accountability and high standards” as the investigation continues.

“Law enforcement must follow the law, just as citizens must,” Charles said. “My view is to support legal immigration and oppose illegal immigration and especially prioritize the immediate removal of all criminal aliens to improve public safety.”

Bennett called for a “full and transparent” investigation that includes an examination of whether the agent involved in the Biddeford shooting followed protocol and what steps can be taken to prevent these types of incidents.

“I am deeply troubled by the fear the ongoing presence of ICE has sent through immigrant families across Maine,” he said. “Something is very wrong when people who have built their lives here wonder whether they can safely leave their homes for work, drop their children off at childcare or schools, or go out to buy groceries for their family.”

Pingree does not think ICE in its current form can be reformed but acknowledges that the states do need help from the federal government in enforcing immigration laws.

“We used to have sane Customs and Border Patrol, we used to have sane enforcement of our immigration laws,” she said. “People weren’t being shot in the street. People who were here legally were not being harassed on their way to work.”

Charles, who has emphasized lowering crime rates and tackling substance use disorder, said his focus will be on public safety.

“Our state should be welcoming to anyone who wants to live here, but public safety must be our top priority, and it will be mine,” he said.

Bennett said he’s not focused on whether ICE can be reformed or must be scrapped, but rather on how it does its job.

“The test should be simple: does the system uphold the law without trampling basic rights and terrorizing communities?” he said. “If it does not, then it needs to change.”