Maine’s leaders of color say Rep. Dhalac’s exit reflects broader pattern of racism and scrutiny

By: Eesha Pendharkar

Outlets: Maine Morning Star

Published: February 2, 2026

Words: 1,204

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

Body Text Preview

Citing concerns about the dangers and racism elected officials face, Democratic Rep. Deqa Dhalac from South Portland announced Thursday that she will not seek reelection this year.

“Throughout my tenure, I have experienced persistent racism, harassment, and threats that reflect a broader national pattern targeting Black and Brown elected officials,” she said in a news release.

Dhalac, who gained national attention in 2021 after becoming the country’s first Somali-American mayor, is serving her …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us