LEWISTON, Maine — The Lewiston City Council is set to vote Tuesday night to fill the vacant Ward 5 seat left open after the Iman Osman fiasco, which erupted over allegations that Osman failed to disclose his address and later resulted in an indictment on gun charges.
Now, as the council faces another high-stakes decision for a city grappling with crime and gun shootings, one candidate has emerged with sweeping support from public safety unions: former councilor Ryn Soule.
In a formal recommendation dated Jan. 19, 2026, the Lewiston Police Supervisors Union urged the mayor and city councilors to appoint Soule to the Ward 5 vacancy, calling the vote a defining moment for the integrity of Lewiston’s local government. The union said Soule stands apart because she has already demonstrated a commitment to Ward 5 by running in a general election, appearing on the official ballot, and receiving votes from ward residents.
The police supervisors also pointed to Soule’s prior time on the council, saying she served with “integrity, transparency and a deep commitment to the community,” and argued that appointing her would show respect for the democratic process and the voters of Ward 5.
Lewiston firefighters amplified that message in a social media post from Lewiston Firefighters IAFF Local 785, backing Soule and urging the council to “do the right thing.” The post said there was only one applicant who demonstrated the commitment to serve on the council and made the effort to represent Ward 5 in the general election, while noting respect for the other applicants who put their names forward.
The dual endorsements from Lewiston’s police supervisors and firefighters carry added weight in a city plagued by crime and gun violence, signaling that the public safety unions charged with protecting residents see Soule as the steady, credible leadership Ward 5 and Lewiston needs right now.
The endorsements come after the council’s last meeting devolved into a marathon session when Council President Chittman suggested the city charter, which councilors swear to uphold is flawed and should be ignored, despite the council having the option to appoint Soule at that meeting. Tuesday’s vote will determine whether the council moves forward with a public-safety-backed pick or continues the turbulence that has consumed Ward 5.
Other candidates for the Ward 5 appointment, include Adam Buckley, Nicole Johnson, Kieran Majerus-Collins and Chrissy Noble.
