STEPPING DOWN: Somali-American Lewiston Councilor Resigns Days After Taking Office Amid Felony Case and Residency Probe

Iman Osman, Lewiston’s first Black and Somali-American councilor, stepped down less than a week after being sworn in as Ward 5 representative, as he fights theft charges and faces questions over whether his condemned listed address meets residency rules.

Iman Osman submitted his resignation in a letter to Lewiston’s mayor and council leadership, saying he was stepping aside “for the betterment of our community” while he contests a felony indictment tied to the alleged theft of firearms. His departure comes after the council voted 6–1 to hire an independent investigator to examine whether his listed address at 210 Blake Street, a building condemned since October 2024, satisfies residency requirements for the Ward 5 seat. Osman, who pleaded not guilty in Lewiston District Court, has argued that he intends to return to the Blake Street property and has described the backlash, including the residency dispute, as racially charged opposition to the city’s only Black councilor.

Osman had campaigned as a community advocate and executive director of the Lewiston Auburn Youth Network, having previously served on the city’s school committee before winning the Ward 5 council race in November. His rapid rise and equally swift resignation have intensified debate in Lewiston over immigrant representation, legal accountability for public officials, and how far residency rules should stretch when housing instability and condemned buildings are involved. Supporters have denounced the investigation and public criticism as a “racial, political and hostile” campaign, while city leaders say an independent probe is necessary to restore public trust and resolve an “unwanted distraction” from the council’s work.

In his resignation letter, Osman said he hoped his decision would serve as “a call to action” for city leaders to recommit to respect, inclusivity and kindness in public service even as he fights the criminal case against him. The council is now expected to outline the process for filling the vacant Ward 5 seat, a move that will shape both the city’s political balance and the future of Somali and immigrant representation in Lewiston’s government.