Former US federal health official Nirav Shah has officially entered the race for Governor of Maine, seeking the Democratic Party nomination to succeed outgoing Governor Janet Mills. Shah announced his candidacy on X, stating that Maine is “at a crossroads” and requires a governor with proven leadership ready to address pressing challenges from day one. He emphasized his campaign priorities, including feeding children, improving housing, funding healthcare, and promoting economic growth.
If elected, Shah would become the third Indian American to serve as a US state governor, joining Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Nikki Haley of South Carolina. Unlike Jindal and Haley, both Republicans, Shah is running as a Democrat.
Shah brings extensive experience in public health and law. He served as the principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) during the Biden administration. Earlier, he led the Maine CDC and the Illinois State Department of Public Health, overseeing critical health initiatives at both state and national levels. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic earned him high visibility in Maine, where he guided the state through unprecedented public health challenges with empathy and resilience.
Shah faces at least four other Democratic contenders in a state that supported the party in the 2024 presidential election. On the Republican side, Jonathan Bush, nephew of former President George H.W. Bush, is seeking the GOP nomination. Shah kicked off his campaign with events in Portland, Maine’s largest city, and in Brunswick, expressing gratitude for the enthusiastic support he received statewide.
He underscored that the qualities he demonstrated as Maine CDC Director—empathy, resilience, and strategic leadership—will guide him as governor. Shah highlighted his plans to tackle rising living costs, address housing shortages, revitalize the state’s economy, and strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure, which he described as increasingly under strain. He specifically noted that current federal policies have exacerbated challenges for rural communities.
As a candidate, Shah combines a rare blend of medical, legal, and administrative expertise, positioning himself as a strong contender to continue Maine’s Democratic leadership while addressing both immediate and long-term state challenges.
