Nirav Shah, previously the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and a recent contender in the Democratic primary for governor, officially entered the race to replace Graham Platner on Thursday morning.
Following Platner’s departure on Wednesday evening, Shah, like many Democrats, confirmed his candidacy. Earlier in the week, he had been actively engaging in interviews and advocating for debates and transparency in the process.
His candidacy was solidified through a social media announcement on Thursday.
“Establishment politicians have failed us,” Shah asserted on X. “To defeat Susan Collins, we need an outsider willing to challenge the flawed system she has supported for years.”
Prior to his gubernatorial campaign, Shah became well-known statewide for his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic in Maine. He identifies as a progressive and maintains a degree of separation from Platner, who did not list Shah among his preferred candidates in the gubernatorial primary.
“I’m proud to have dedicated my career to public service, and to have delivered for Mainers in our darkest times,” Shah stated in his post. “Now, in this unprecedented moment, I’m ready to unite our party and fight for you once again.”
