Cynthia Soma-Hernandez

Cynthia Soma-Hernandez is the Democratic candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, District 72, in the November 3, 2026 general election, where she faces Republican Douglas Thomas.[1] A former teacher and railroad union officer, she has run for the Maine House in 2018 and 2024.[1][2]

Soma-Hernandez graduated from Bulkeley High School, earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Connecticut in 1976 and a graduate degree from St. Peter's College in 1989.[1] Her career experience includes working at Amtrak and as an education advocate and teacher.[1] In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey, she said she grew up in a family of nine children, entered the University of Connecticut on a full scholarship, and later worked as a railroad laborer and served her union as recording secretary and president.[2] She said she then taught for twenty-five years in Newark, New Jersey, and served as a national Sanders representative in 2016.[2]

Soma-Hernandez ran for Maine House District 112 as a Democrat in 2018 and lost to incumbent Thomas Skolfield.[1] In 2024 she ran for District 72 as an independent and lost to Elizabeth Caruso, 27.6 percent to 72.4 percent.[1] She advanced from the Democratic primary for District 72 on June 9, 2026.[1] In the 2026 survey, Soma-Hernandez said her key messages include housing, education, food and medicine, more resources for seniors, and protecting job opportunities as technology changes work.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.