LEWISTON, Maine — Former Lewiston City Councilor Eryn Soule announced this week that she is launching an independent campaign for Maine State Senate in District 21, positioning her candidacy around public safety, mental health and addiction services, and education reform.
Soule, who previously represented Lewiston’s Ward 5 on the city council, said her campaign will focus on practical solutions and community-centered leadership rather than partisan politics.
“Serving as City Councilor for Ward 5 was one of the greatest honors of my life,” Soule said in announcing her campaign. “While I was elected to represent my ward, I always worked to represent the entire city of Lewiston. Our community deserves leadership that puts people before politics and focuses on real solutions.”
Soule first rose to prominence in Lewiston municipal politics during her time on the city council, where she became known for her outspoken positions on public safety, municipal accountability, and the challenges facing one of Maine’s most diverse cities. Representing Ward 5, she frequently advocated for stronger communication between city government and residents, while weighing in on issues ranging from policing and housing to education and the city’s response to growing social service demands.
Her tenure on the council also came during a turbulent period for Lewiston, as the city grappled with rising concerns over homelessness, substance addiction, and public safety, as well as broader debates over the direction of municipal leadership.
Now seeking to move from City Hall to Augusta, Soule said restoring public safety across Maine will be her campaign’s top priority.
“Every resident deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, their home, and their workplace,” Soule said. “Public safety must be the foundation of a strong community. We must ensure that law enforcement, first responders, and community resources have the support they need to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Soule also pointed to what she described as an urgent need for more effective responses to mental health challenges and substance addiction, issues that have deeply affected communities across Maine, including Lewiston.
“Families across our state are being affected by mental health struggles and substance addiction,” Soule said. “We cannot ignore this crisis. My goal is to ensure that every person who is struggling has access to treatment, recovery services, and the support needed to rebuild their lives.”
Education policy will also play a central role in her campaign platform.
“Our education system is failing too many of our students,” Soule said. “A city, and a state, cannot thrive without investing in our younger generation. Every child deserves a safe school, strong teachers, and the opportunity to receive a quality education.”
Running as an Independent, Soule said she intends to work with lawmakers from both parties if elected.
“As an Independent, I will work with anyone who is willing to put our communities first,” Soule said. “The people of Lewiston and District 21 deserve leadership that is focused on solutions, not party lines.”
Maine’s Senate District 21 includes Lewiston and surrounding communities, and the race is expected to draw significant attention as voters weigh competing visions for the region’s future amid ongoing debates over public safety, economic stability, and the state’s response to the addiction and mental health crisis.
