Carl L. Sheline
ME · Mayor of Lewiston
Mayor of Lewiston since 2022 and founder of Munka, a downtown coworking space; he once managed offices for health care groups. His priorities include making it easier for businesses to grow and hire, and adding housing that residents can afford.
Where Carl L. Sheline stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (1 record), Government Spending Reduction (1 record), Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties (2 records),
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Took responsibility for delays in filling city board seats and backed a rule letting the council fill seats he left open for 60 days. The council passed it unanimously.
April 9, 2024Supports Government Efficiency
Source: sunjournal.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 support
Voted against the city's $72.2 million budget for fiscal year 2027, which also set $32.9 million in local school taxes. He voted for an absent councilor. It passed 5-2.
May 19, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: lewistonmaine.gov
Track record — Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties · 2 support
Urged the City Council to pass an emergency ordinance limiting city workers and departments from helping federal immigration agents.
February 16, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: wgme.com
Warned that federal immigration agents (ICE) were expected in Lewiston. He urged residents to know their rights and said Lewiston police do not enforce federal immigration law.
January 14, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: mainepublic.org
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 2 support
Voted for a temporary freeze on lot rent increases at mobile home parks. With four councilors absent, he and three councilors passed it 4-0 at a special meeting.
August 26, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: lewistonmaine.gov
Voted for rezoning 128 Farwell St. and 255 East Ave. to allow more types of housing and limited business uses. He voted because a councilor had a conflict. It passed 5-2.
October 17, 2023Supports Housing Affordability
Source: lewistonmaine.gov
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 3 support
Voted to license the Alter L/A homeless shelter at 70 Horton St., capped at 49 beds with safety and building conditions. He voted because a councilor recused. It passed 6-1.
June 2, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: lewistonmaine.gov
Voted for emergency changes to the city's homeless shelter license rules and for a shelter license for New Beginnings at 436 Main St. He voted because a councilor recused. Each passed 6-1.
November 19, 2024Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: lewistonmaine.gov
Voted against extending the city's freeze (moratorium) on new homeless shelters. He cast a vote because a councilor was absent. The extension passed 5-2.
September 6, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: lewistonmaine.gov
Track record — General
General · 9 records
Criticized the council's last-minute budget cut of the city's economic development director job as misguided.
July 8, 2026
Source: sunjournal.com
Wrote a newspaper column rejecting claims that Lewiston is in decline. He called recent youth gun violence deeply troubling.
May 15, 2026
Source: sunjournal.com
Cast the tie-breaking vote against asking the city Finance Committee to consider pulling city funds from weapons makers. He called the idea performative. It failed 3-4.
July 15, 2025
Source: sunjournal.com
Received a no-confidence vote from 95% of members of the union for Lewiston city workers, which asked the council to impeach him. He said the mayor has no power to hire or fire city staff.
February 20, 2024
Source: mainepublic.org
Said the city was seeking to move code enforcement in a different direction after it put its longtime code enforcement director on leave and chose not to renew his contract.
January 18, 2024
Source: sunjournal.com
Won a second term as mayor in a runoff, beating Jon Connor by 122 votes. The win gave him a three-year term.
December 12, 2023
Source: sunjournal.com
Spoke at a news conference after the Lewiston mass shooting that killed 18 people. He said the city was committed to helping victims and thanked police agencies and local businesses.
October 28, 2023
Source: nbc24.com
Won election as Lewiston mayor with about 60% of the vote, defeating Donna Gillespie.
November 2, 2021
Source: thebatesstudent.com
Co-developed Munka, the first coworking (shared office) space in Lewiston-Auburn, at 215 Lisbon St. in downtown Lewiston.
November 17, 2015
Source: sunjournal.com
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 1 record
Was censured by the City Council, 4-3, for breaking its rules of conduct. Councilors debated a letter he drafted to a Portland group but never sent.
February 21, 2023
Source: lewistonmaine.gov
Past race Carl L. Sheline ran in:
- Mayor · November 3, 2026 · Lewiston city, Maine · incumbent