Nirav Shah exits Maine Senate race

Former CDC official endorsed Troy Jackson after suspending his Democratic primary campaign.

Dr. Nirav Shah suspended his U.S. Senate campaign and endorsed fellow Democrat Troy Jackson. / X/@IA_Impact

Indian-origin physician and former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Nirav Shah has suspended his campaign for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate from Maine and endorsed former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson.

Shah announced his decision on July 19 in a statement posted on social media.

Also read: Nirav Shah concedes Maine Governor primary race

"To Maine Democrats: Susan Collins will not be defeated without a united Democratic Party. And we cannot unite without treating one another with respect," Shah said in the statement."No matter whom you supported in this race, I urge us all to remember that in the weeks ahead."

In his statement, Shah criticized Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term, arguing that she "is not a moderate." He cited her votes on the Iraq War, funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Shah also said he entered the race because he "could not accept the idea of Susan Collins gliding to a sixth term at the very moment Maine families are being forced to pay the price for her votes.”

pic.twitter.com/GSrpoD5H2Q
— Nirav D. Shah (@nirav_maine) July 19, 2026

His withdrawal came on the same day that Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows suspended her Senate campaign, while Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban ended his bid a day earlier.

Both Shah and Kleban endorsed Jackson, while Bellows did not back a candidate.

The campaign shake-up followed county caucuses held to select delegates for the Maine Democratic Party's July 25 nominating convention in Bangor.

The Democratic nomination became vacant earlier this month after primary winner Graham Platner withdrew following a sexual assault allegation, which he has denied.

Shah, who is of Gujarati heritage and whose parents immigrated to the United States in the 1970s, previously served as Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Biden administration. He also gained statewide recognition for leading Maine's public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, Shah unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Maine governor in 2025-26, finishing second to Hannah Pingree. He launched his Senate campaign on July 9 following Platner's withdrawal, as previously reported by New India Abroad.

Discover more at New India Abroad.

Comments

JD

James DURAISWAMY

2026-07-20 00:00:00

I was so right. You cannot beat Collins, although she is not a strong candidate. Besides, the one who is challenging her is a doctor who used to work as a director at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the biggest idiot, Sleepy Joe. That is a red flag. If you hang around Fauci, this is what happens. Remember, Fauci was given a pardon via autopen without having committed a crime. Perhaps you are involved in it? Who knows. You belong to the new Communist Party of the USA. Stick to your field of medicine; you might be of help to so many. Sorry.