Volunteer Led Effort Puts Shah Over Ballot Requirement In ME Governor Race

India-West Staff Reporter

BRUNSWICK, ME – The campaign of Dr. Nirav Shah says it has collected more than 3,000 petition signatures to qualify for the Democratic primary ballot in Maine’s 2026 gubernatorial race, surpassing the 2,000 signatures required under state law.

According to the campaign, the signatures were gathered over a 25 day period and are currently undergoing verification by local town clerks. Campaign officials said the effort relied entirely on volunteers and did not use paid signature gatherers.

The Shah campaign reported that more than 100 volunteers collected signatures across 130 municipalities in all 16 Maine counties, including rural and urban communities from Fort Fairfield in Aroostook County to York in southern Maine. Volunteers included retirees, healthcare workers, students, and first time campaign participants, according to the campaign.

“I’m grateful to every volunteer who took the time to knock on doors and to every Mainer who signed our petition,” Shah said in a statement. “These signatures reflect people engaging in the democratic process, and I appreciate that support.”

The announcement comes as Shah’s campaign has released internal polling showing him leading the Democratic primary field. The campaign cited a recent survey conducted by Hart Research that places Shah at 35 percent support, with his nearest competitor trailing by more than 20 points. An earlier December poll by Pan Atlantic Research also showed Shah leading other Democratic contenders.

Because the polling data was commissioned by the campaign, it has not been independently verified.

Shah previously served as Maine’s director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and gained statewide visibility during the COVID 19 pandemic.