With state Sen. Peggy Rotundo retiring at the end of her term representing District 21, two local Democrats are vying for the Senate seat in the June 9 primary election.

Mana Abdi, 30, currently the state representative for District 95, faces former Lewiston-Auburn Chamber of Commerce CEO and Lewiston Planning Board Chair Shanna Cox, 45.

The winner will face independent challenger Eryn Soule in November.

Kiernan Majerus-Collins and Matthew Kershaw are running for Abdi’s seat in the June 9 primary. The winner will face Republican challenger Bret Martel, who is unopposed in his primary. 

Abdi jumped into the race after two terms serving Lewiston in Maine House District 95. Working on issues like housing, education and public safety, she said she has stayed close to community members, local leaders and colleagues across the Legislature to push for practical solutions.

“This city is my home,” Abdi said. “I care deeply about making sure working people, students, seniors, and families can afford to stay here and succeed here. I’m running because I want Lewiston to continue having strong, steady leadership that fights for our community every single day.”

Cox said that as a small business owner, former CEO of the chamber, and planning board chair, she has a track record of working across sectors and perspectives to make meaningful change. 

“I’ve worked on real challenges like housing, workforce, and economic development,” Cox said. “I understand how state decisions impact people day to day, and I focus on practical solutions, not politics. I have a long history of having built partnerships that deliver results.”

The two candidates landed on housing as one of their top priorities.

Abdi said the state needs to support stronger tenant protections while supporting communities dealing with housing pressures, namely affordable housing development.

Cox added that cities and towns can no longer rely on local property taxes, especially for middle-class families and seniors. “I’ll work for policies that increase housing supply, a fairer tax structure and full funding of municipal revenue sharing so Lewiston isn’t carrying more than its share,” Cox said.

Abdi said another priority is addressing education and workforce development. “Strong schools, safe communities, and stable housing all play a role in helping local businesses grow and succeed. Lewiston has a strong small business community and a hardworking population. … When families can afford housing, childcare, healthcare and transportation, our local economy becomes stronger. I support policies that improve wages, protect workers and help people stay financially stable.”

Cox said another of her priorities is reducing barriers to growth, which then expands workforce participation and supports local business development.

“We also need a more predictable policy environment and smarter regulations that are crafted with input from small business owners, so they’re practical to implement and don’t unintentionally burden the local employers who power our communities,” she said. 

Both candidates cited their love for Lewiston as a driver to seeking the Senate seat that represents the city. 

“I know what it feels like to struggle, to navigate systems that don’t always work and to fight for opportunities,” Abdi said. “At the end of the day, I’m running to make sure everyone in our community has the chance to build a stable and successful life here in Lewiston.” She noted that the city gave her family a place to call home and serving it has been among the greatest honors of her life. 

“I’m grounded in this community and committed to doing the work,” Cox said. “I listen, I show up and I focus on solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. I’ve spent my career bringing people together to solve problems, and that’s how I’ll serve in Augusta, too — with integrity, respect, and a focus on results for Maine people.”