Nirav Shah Calls For At least Two Statewide Senate Debates

India-West News Desk

BRUNSWICK, ME – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Nirav Shah has called on his fellow candidates to participate in at least two statewide televised debates before the Maine Democratic State Committee votes later this month to choose the party’s Senate nominee.

Shah said the debates should be broadcast across Maine and include questions from local journalists. He argued that public forums have taken on greater importance because of the shortened timeline for selecting the Democratic nominee.

Shah said that although most Maine voters will not have a direct role in choosing the nominee, they should still have the opportunity to watch the candidates discuss their positions and respond to questions before the committee makes its decision.

He also said the Democratic nominee will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins, whom he described as a 30-year incumbent, in what he called the country’s most competitive Senate race. According to Shah, debates would give voters a better sense of how each candidate handles difficult questions and defends their views, something he said cannot be judged through press releases or fundraising emails.

Shah said he is prepared to take part in debates “anytime, anywhere, on any station,” and urged the other Democratic candidates to make the same commitment before the nomination vote.

The Maine Democratic State Committee is scheduled to vote on the party’s Senate nominee later this month.