Nirav Shah Enters High-Profile Race For Democratic US Senate Nomination

India-West News Desk

AUGUSTA, ME – Former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah has officially entered the race for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat left open after Democratic nominee Graham Platner withdrew from the contest.

Shah, 49, announced his candidacy on July 9, one day after Platner ended his campaign following allegations of sexual assault made by a former girlfriend.

Shah had already signaled his interest before making his campaign official, holding media interviews, calling for an open selection process and speaking with potential donors. He said preliminary financial commitments and much of the campaign infrastructure from his recent gubernatorial bid, including communications, field organizing and fundraising operations, could quickly be redirected toward the Senate race.

The physician and public health official is well known across Maine for leading the state through the COVID-19 pandemic as director of the Maine CDC.

Earlier this year, he finished second in the Democratic primary for governor after leading the first round of ranked choice voting with nearly 27 percent of the vote in a five candidate field before ultimately losing the runoff to Hannah Pingree.

Shah said his policy positions closely align with those championed by Platner, citing support for Medicare for All, ending U.S. arms sales to Israel, stronger environmental accountability for corporations and higher taxes on billionaires.

In his campaign launch, Shah also reached out directly to Platner’s supporters, saying they would have a place in his campaign and emphasizing shared progressive priorities.

“I’m proud to have dedicated my career to public service, and to have delivered for Mainers in our darkest times,” Shah said. “Now, in this unprecedented moment, I’m ready to unite our party and fight for you once again.”

The Democratic Party is expected to choose a replacement nominee later this month through an in person convention of approximately 600 party delegates.

Shah will compete with a growing field of Democratic hopefuls seeking the nomination. Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and Maine Beer Company cofounder Dan Kleban have already entered the race, while Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former gubernatorial candidate David Costello are also considering bids.

The eventual Democratic nominee will face Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term. The contest is expected to become one of the nation’s most expensive Senate races, with spending projected to approach $500 million.