Nirav Shah Drops Out Of Maine Senate Race As Dems Look To Unify

India-West News Desk

AUGUSTA, ME –Dr. Nirav Shah has suspended his campaign for the US Senate in Maine and endorsed fellow Democrat Troy Jackson, saying party unity is essential to defeating Republican Senator Susan Collins.

In a statement announcing his decision, Shah said he entered the race because he believed Collins should not secure another term unchallenged, adding that stepping aside was driven by the same goal.

“We must defeat Susan Collins, and the Democratic Party must be unified to do it,” Shah said.

Explaining his endorsement of Jackson, Shah said Republicans were counting on divisions among Democrats to retain the seat. “Susan Collins, Donald Trump, and Senate Republicans are banking on disunity and frustration from Maine Democrats to try and win this seat, and we are not going to give them that,” he said. “Now, that energy moves to the most important fight of all: defeating Susan Collins and flipping the United States Senate.”

Shah , thanked volunteers for reviving his grassroots campaign, saying they gathered nearly 1,000 signatures in three days, made 15,000 phone calls in a week and helped secure thousands of delegate votes.

He said the campaign drew support from Mainers across professions and communities. “To every person who believed in us and showed up: thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Shah said.

Shah also criticized Collins’ record, citing her votes on the Iraq War, funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as examples of her backing policies he opposed.