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Nirav Shah leads Maine Governor primary poll: Survey
The Democratic primary field for Maine governor includes former public health official Nirav Shah, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and former Senate President Troy Jackson.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 13, May 2026
- 13:09 EDT
- 45
Nirav Shah / Screengrab from the ad
Indian American Democrat Nirav Shah is leading the primary field for Maine governor, according to a new poll released by his campaign.
The survey, conducted by Schoen Cooperman Research between April 30 and May 4 among voters described as “absolutely certain to vote,” showed Shah receiving 28 percent support.
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Angus King III followed at 19 percent, while Hannah Pingree and Shenna Bellows each drew 16 percent, and former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson received 14 percent.
The poll, shared by the Shah campaign with 27 days remaining until Election Day, described the former Maine CDC director as holding a nine-point lead over his nearest rival.
I am so grateful to everyone who has shown up for this campaign in the last six months, across two dozen town halls with thousands of people and hundreds of questions. I love this state and believe in the promise of our future, and I will always stand with and for Mainers.
— Nirav D. Shah (@nirav_maine) May 13, 2026
We… pic.twitter.com/ntfFkOsmkn
In a post on X after the poll was released, Shah thanked supporters and highlighted the campaign’s statewide outreach efforts.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has shown up for this campaign in the last six months, across two dozen town halls with thousands of people and hundreds of questions,” Shah wrote.
“We will continue to earn every vote and I can’t wait to see so many more of you out on the trail in this last month,” he added.
Shah, who gained statewide prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic through regular public briefings as director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed term-limited Gov. Janet Mills.
He later served as principal deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before launching his gubernatorial bid in 2025.
Shah’s campaign has focused on housing affordability, healthcare access, economic growth, and food security. His campaign website says he is running to “fix housing, fund healthcare, feed kids, and fuel growth for all Mainers.”
The candidate has also secured endorsements from several Maine officials and healthcare workers. Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline endorsed Shah’s small business and economic agenda in April, while a separate group of healthcare workers also backed his campaign, according to campaign-related announcements.
Campaign finance filings cited by state election records show Shah had raised more than $830,000 and reported about $428,000 cash on hand as of late April.
Maine’s Democratic gubernatorial primary is scheduled for June 9.
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