Election 2026: Dan Cota announces candidacy for mayor in Village of Lewiston

Village of Lewiston election: A village worth fighting for

By Dan Cota

I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Dan Cota, and I’m running for mayor of the Village of Lewiston.

My wife grew up in Niagara Falls, and every time we came back to visit family, we found ourselves ending up in Lewiston because of the waterfront, the community, and everything this village has to offer.

We didn’t just visit. We fell in love, and because of that, we made a choice. We chose Lewiston to raise our daughter, to build our future, and to put down roots in a community we believe in.

I, however, am from “Away,” as Mainers like to say. I was born and raised in Maine, in a small river town not unlike Lewiston. I know what small town life looks and feels like. I know what it means when a downtown works, when local businesses thrive, and when a community stays connected year-round.

I joined the Army straight out of high school and proudly served with the 5th Special Forces Group. That experience shaped how I think, how I approach challenges, and how I solve problems. It taught me discipline, accountability, and the importance of showing up when people are counting on you.

After the Army, I built a long career in IT that took me just about everywhere, from oil rigs in Alaska, to craft beer logistics in Colorado, to visual effects work in film. The common thread was always the same: I’m the person you call when you want real solutions, not just the appearance of progress.

Today, I work in IT consulting and repair bicycles on the side. I won’t always have every answer, but I’m very good at finding them.

Lewiston is something special. We have incredible festivals, world-class fishing, local businesses worth protecting, and a community people care deeply about. But we need to be a village people choose on a Tuesday in February, not just on a Saturday in July.

We need a village that defines its own development, not one that lets developers define it for us.

As mayor, I’ll be unapologetically supportive of small business. I’ll support our festivals and our fishing industry. I’ll fight for a Center Street that works for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. And I’ll make sure the people of this village are always part of the conversation.

You can often find me fishing or fixing bikes around the village, and I hope you’ll come say hello.

We need a mayor who is accessible, present, and who actually listens to everyone. If you want to know how serious I am about accessibility, here is my personal cell: 716-405-0822.

Text me anytime, and feel free to share it.

Leadership should not feel distant. You should be able to reach your mayor, ask hard questions, and expect a real conversation.

Lewiston deserves leadership that is visible, accountable, and willing to fight for its future. I am ready to do that work, and I’d be honored to earn your vote.