As Lewiston plunges deeper into the scandal surrounding councilor-elect Iman Osman, attorney and Democratic legislative hopeful Kiernan Majerus-Collins is once again emerging as one of the most pugnacious figures in the city, reviving a long trail of controversies from his years in local politics, school governance, and statewide activism.
Majerus-Collins had already thrust himself into Osman’s defense just before the councilor-elect faced felony gun charges during the residency investigation stemming from his claim of living in a condemned building.
When Majerus-Collins appeared before the Lewiston School Committee to pressure members into halting their residency review, without disclosing that he was acting as Osman’s attorney, officials were stunned. Committee members say he presented himself as a concerned resident while warning them they could face legal consequences, raising immediate concerns over transparency and ethics from a man now seeking a seat in the Maine Legislature.
That moment triggered an avalanche of memories from Majerus-Collins’ earlier battles inside Lewiston politics, especially his turbulent tenure on the Lewiston School Committee. During that time, he waged an aggressive campaign to eliminate the district’s D.A.R.E. program and reduce or remove school resource officers from local schools. The move ignited intense public backlash, culminating in a petition demanding his resignation.
Majerus-Collins then went head-to-head with Lewiston Police Chief Brian O’Malley, who publicly contradicted his claims about student safety and the role of SROs. O’Malley defended the officers’ presence in schools and pushed back against the narrative Majerus-Collins was trying to drive, deepening the divide within the community.
Parents accused Majerus-Collins of disregarding real safety concerns, while he continued insisting the district needed fewer police and more social workers. Meetings devolved into shouting matches, and the controversy ultimately overshadowed his time in office until he abruptly resigned to attend law school.
Majerus-Collins tenure as chair of the Lewiston Democratic Committee was equally rocky. A viral fundraising campaign that brought in more than $170,000 led to accusations of sloppy oversight. In a separate confrontation, a Lewiston council candidate accused Majerus-Collins of showing up at his home while the man was recovering from surgery and berating him for running for office. Majerus-Collins denied the allegations, but the fallout fractured the party.
In 2021, former councilor Safiya Khalid (D) attempted to succeed him as party chair, only to withdraw amid claims of racist and xenophobic remarks from fellow Democrats. Majerus-Collins publicly condemned the behavior, while others insisted the conflict stemmed from his lack leadership and procedural clashes, not racism. The episode exposed a party deeply divided and a leadership culture marked by turmoil.
Now, with Osman’s legal troubles dominating local and statewide attention, those past conflicts are resurfacing with new force. Osman denies the charges and refuses to step down. Majerus-Collins has backed him unequivocally, insisting Osman will “fight the charges” and take his seat in January.
The situation has taken on a national undertone after President Trump’s recent comments criticizing Somali immigrants in the United States, remarks that struck a nerve in Lewiston, home to one of the nation’s largest Somali communities. Residents have begun questioning whether Majerus-Collins’ aggressive defense of Osman reflects personal resentment toward Trump’s rhetoric, political calculation in a city with a large Somali voting bloc, or simply another example of his combative political style.
Majerus-Collins’ history with Trump supporters is long-standing. He gained national negative attention after being removed from multiple Trump rallies in 2016, including a Lowell, Massachusetts event where his “America’s Already Great” sign was torn away and he was escorted out by police. Another confrontation in Connecticut went viral.
To some, these are badges of honor. To others, signs of a man who seeks conflict rather than resolution. Majerus -Collins this week called Trump supporter and Maine gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles (R) a ‘racist clown’ on Facebook.
With Osman’s arraignment approaching and the new City Council preparing to take office, Lewiston faces a political reckoning. At the center of it all stands Majerus-Collins, attorney, activist, and State House candidate whose past controversies, fierce ideological posture, and latest decision to defend a scandal-ridden councilor elect threaten to define not only his campaign but the political climate of Lewiston itself.
As frustrations grow and questions mount, one reality is becoming harder to ignore: wherever chaos erupts in Lewiston politics, Kiernan Majerus-Collins is never far from the center of it.
