LEWISTON, Maine — In a late Tuesday vote, the Lewiston City Council rejected an application from Bates College graduate Kiernan Majerus-Collins to fill the Ward 5 seat vacated by his former pro bono client, Iman Osman, before moving to appoint Chrissy Noble to the post.
Osman resigned on January 8, 2028 after questions over his address on bail documents following a hearing on two charges that he stole and illegally possessed handguns.
After Osman’s resignation, Majerus-Collins, a longtime fan of Lewiston’s Somali community, put his name forward for the open council seat. Only weeks earlier, the “far left” full-time activist suffered a defeat in a local Democratic Party election after attempting to sue for an unprecedented same-day registration option for migrant voters.
Majerus-Collins moved to Maine from out of state with his father, Maine Trust for Local News columnist Steve Collins. But in that short time he’s become mildly famous for what critics describe as hamfisted attempts to bully his way into political office.
Majerus-Collins was also the prime mover behind the underwhelming pro-Somali rally, which came amid staggering revelations of welfare fraud committed primarily by Somali migrants in Minnesota, Ohio, and Maine.
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson, Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, former Republican Sen. Rick Bennett (U-Oxford) all joined Majerus-Collins and his longtime friend Safiya Khalid at Kennedy Park for the sparsely attended political stunt.
After nearly four hours of public comment, candidate interviews and councilor questioning, the council voted to appoint Noble in a 5-2 decision, with councilors Longchamps and Matel voting no.
Noble has worked for New Beginnings for 17 years and said in her application and interview that she has direct experience with homelessness, addiction and crisis solutions. She described the immigrant community as part of the city’s strength and said immigrants need to be protected if they are here legally.
Noble’s term runs through Jan. 3, 2028.
This is a breaking news story, the Maine Wire will have more updates on this meeting.
