By Mado Mai
In 2022, at the age of 26, Mana Abdi made headlines when she became the first Somali American elected to the Maine House of Representatives. Now Mana Abdi, a Democrat, is running for reelection from her home District 95 in Lewiston.
Mana Abdi plans to focus on housing if re-elected. “I see the lack of housing … until housing gets sorted out, that’s going to be one of my main priorities. The number of unhoused folks increases every day. Rent is out of control. People are on the verge of losing their homes because they simply can’t afford to keep them,” she said.
Abdi had some personal experience with escalating housing prices herself when her rent was suddenly raised by $300 per month. She noted, “I have a job that could support [this], but many in Lewiston don’t even make $30,000 a year.” She has developed some ideas that would address housing price rises: “I want to bring in policies around rent control and assistance. Landlords currently have the right to increase rent without much regulation, and that’s something I want to address.”
Looking back over her first term, Abdi said, “Concerning my accomplishments, I am a proud co-sponsor of these and many other bills: “An Act to Protect Housing by Increasing the Property Tax Fairness Credit,” “An Act to Advance Self-determination for Wabanaki Nations,” “An Act to Create the Whole Home Repairs Program,” and “An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program.” In her first term, she also served on the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government.
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Equity is very much at the center of Mana Abdi’s policy concerns. “I am concerned about the lack of housing, the lack of proper education, or public funding – [and another term would be] a good opportunity to do something about these. … I will continue to advocate for housing, education, childcare, and other opportunities. It’s a big lift for everyone involved, but I absolutely think it’s doable.”
Abdi said that since becoming a state legislator, her involvement in community life has deepened, both because she is out and about more, and because the community sees her as a resource. “I try the best that I can to show up to as many things as I can, to support as many of those as I possibly can.”
Older, more experienced legislators, such as Deqa Dhalac (D-Dist. ##, South Portland) and Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Dist. 118, Portland), serve as role models for Abdi, who said she admires their dedication and authenticity. Mana Abdi said, they “show up day after day because they fully believe in the work they do. You see it when you serve with them. [Talbot Ross] would stay in the chamber for hours, sometimes into the early morning, doing what needed to be done. Even if it’s just one small policy to make the life of a few people better, it’s worth it [to her]. It’s admirable, and makes you want to show up even on the exhausting days. … I hope I can be as good as them one day.”
Being a legislator can be exhausting, she said. “People don’t realize that legislators make less than $10,000 a year. It’s really time consuming, and a huge responsibility. You’re never really off the clock,” she said.
In addition to her work in Augusta, Mana Abdi works at Bates College, in the Office of Intercultural Education, focusing on supporting historically underrepresented students, including African American and minority community members. She finds immense satisfaction in helping first-year students adjust and feel a sense of belonging.
“I love working with my students. We try the best that we can to make sure that they feel accepted, that they feel a sense of belonging,” she said.
Mana Abdi’s journey to the Maine Legislature and Bates College included prior volunteer work on behalf of the community, where she learned skills that have been useful in Augusta. She noted that she believes, “Government should reflect the people it serves. [Currently] it doesn’t reflect working moms, people with disabilities, young people, immigrants, or women of color.” Amjambo first profiled Abdi in April 2022, during her first run for the Legislature; the article is available under Digital Editions at www.amjamboafrica.com.
Born in Kenya, Abdi lived there until age 11. After moving to the U.S., she spent two years in Kansas before settling in Maine in 2009. She completed her high school education in Maine and attended the University of Maine at Farmington, where she discovered her passion for advocacy. Reflecting on her college experience, she said, “I think that’s where I really found my footing. I learned to really advocate for the things that I felt like a lot of the students who looked like me needed.”
Whenever she can, the young legislator makes sure to enjoy Maine’s abundant lakes and the ocean, and says she finds the water rejuvenating. Mana Abdi loves nothing so much as “a cup of tea and a good book.”
