Shanna Cox is running for the Maine State Senate because too many families and small businesses are working harder than ever and still struggling to get ahead. Rising costs, housing shortages, and uncertainty about safety and stability are putting real pressure on people’s everyday lives. Shanna is a longtime community and economic development leader and small business owner in Lewiston. She has spent her career bringing people together across differences to solve real problems — supporting employers, strengthening neighborhoods, and helping communities navigate change.
She previously served as President and CEO of a business-serving association, where she helped small businesses navigate the pandemic, worked to support economic recovery, and advocated for practical solutions that reflected real-world conditions. Her work reinforced a deep belief that small businesses are the backbone of local communities — as employers, neighbors, and economic anchors.
From housing advocacy and neighborhood organizing to crisis leadership and economic stewardship, Shanna has led with empathy, accountability, and results. She is reopening her small business, Project Tipping Point, as she runs for office — and is ready to bring her experience and steady leadership to the Maine State Senate.