NEW YORK– Indian American public health leader Nirav Shah has entered the race for governor of Maine, officially launching his campaign for the Democratic nomination on Monday.
“We are at a crossroads, and we need a governor with proven leadership experience who is ready to tackle our challenges on day one,” Shah posted on X. “I’m running to feed kids, fix housing, fund healthcare, and fuel growth.”
Shah, a physician and attorney, served as principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under President Joe Biden. He previously led the Maine CDC and was director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
If elected, Shah would become the third Indian American to serve as a U.S. state governor, following Republicans Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Nikki Haley of South Carolina.
The 46-year-old Democrat aims to succeed Governor Janet Mills, who is completing her second term and plans to run against Republican Senator Susan Collins in the 2026 election. Shah will face at least four other Democrats seeking the party’s nomination in a state that voted Democratic in the 2024 presidential race.
On the Republican side, Jonathan Bush — a nephew of former President George H. W. Bush — has also declared his candidacy.
Shah kicked off his campaign with events in Portland and Brunswick, where he highlighted the support he’s received from residents across Maine. “I’m overjoyed at the outpouring of support I’ve received from across the state today,” he said.
Known for his steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shah became a trusted voice in Maine as he guided the state’s response as CDC director.
“As Maine CDC director, I saw how we could get through incredibly tough times together with empathy and resilience,” Shah said. “I’ll bring those same values as governor to tackle big problems — from rising housing and living costs to a struggling rural healthcare system that’s only getting worse under Trump’s policies.” (Source: IANS)
