LEWISTON — One of many stars of Lewiston’s immigrant group, 26-year-old group organizer Mana Abdi, gained election Tuesday to a state Home seat that may make her the primary Somali-American lawmaker in Augusta.
“Maine must be celebrating it,” Abdi mentioned, as a result of it’s an indication that the Legislature is rising extra consultant of the folks it serves. It brings the state “one step nearer” to a brighter future for everybody, she mentioned.
Unopposed within the new ninety fifth District since her Republican challenger stop the race in August, Abdi might breathe simple on Election Day however by no means slowed her marketing campaign effort by means of the autumn.
Mana Abdi, the primary Somali American elected to the Maine Legislature, speaks Monday at a rally for Gov. Janet Mills at Dufresne Plaza in Lewiston. Andree Kehn/Solar Journal
After she spoke at a Democratic marketing campaign rally in Lewiston on Monday night, considered one of her monitor teammates from Lewiston Excessive Faculty, Taylor True, got here up along with her mom to greet her.
“Listening to you, I simply needed to cry,” mentioned Lisa True, who received to know Abdi by means of her daughter not lengthy after the athletic immigrant moved to Lewiston in 2009. “You’ve at all times been so robust.”
“It’s thrilling to see her do that,” Taylor True mentioned.
She mentioned Abdi was an unfailing pal, the form of teammate who by no means didn’t root for everyone else.
“She’s completely a staff participant,” True added.
Democrats in Augusta mentioned they’re relying on Abdi to go together with her new staff and to inject new concepts into the debates and discussions that happen within the State Home.
State Rep. Heidi Brooks, a Democrat who has represented the world for the previous eight years and couldn’t search reelection due to time period limits, mentioned she is “actually excited” to see Abdi succeed her.
“She’ll be a beautiful consultant,” Brooks mentioned.
Drew Gattine, the state Democratic Get together chairperson, mentioned Abdi’s win “will make historical past.”
South Portland Mayor Deqa Dhalac, the nation’s first Somali-American mayor, may additionally be becoming a member of Abdi within the Legislature. She sought election within the one hundred and twentieth District however had an opponent. Outcomes of her race usually are not but accessible.
Abdi mentioned she is slightly cautious of getting into the typically unusual world of politics within the state capital.
However she’s wanting to be taught her manner round.
“I’m new,” Abdi mentioned, “and nonetheless have loads of studying to do.”
She mentioned she is grateful that state Rep. Kristen Cloutier, a Lewiston Democrat who’s vying to turn into the assistant chief for Home Democrats, has been so prepared to assist her.
“I’m strolling into new territory,” Abdi mentioned.
Abdi was born in Kenya and arrived as a refugee in america as a baby, initially touchdown in Kansas. She moved to Lewiston in 2009 on the age of 13 and has lived within the district ever since.
She graduated from Lewiston Excessive Faculty in 2014 and earned a level from the College of Maine Farmington in 2018.
Since then, she has labored as an advocate at Incapacity Rights Maine and is a program coordinator at Bates Faculty in Lewiston.
Abdi mentioned her strategy to points can be to think about their affect within the a long time forward in addition to right this moment.
“Lewiston deserves secure, reasonably priced, accessible housing and good jobs,” Abdi mentioned. “I can be a powerful and relentless voice for our group in Augusta.”
Mana Abdi, the primary Somali American to be elected to the Maine Legislature, places an “I Voted” sticker Tuesday on her mom, Nunai Mohamed, on the former Longley Elementary Faculty in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Solar Journal
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