NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Augusta, Maine, January 16, 2025: Nirav Shah, a former state and federal public health leader, has emerged with a narrow early advantage in Maine’s crowded Democratic primary for governor, while securing a high-profile endorsement from the Indian American Impact Fund.
Early polling in the 2026 race shows Shah slightly ahead of several well-known Democratic rivals, though no candidate is close to a majority. Political observers describe the contest as competitive and fluid, with Shah currently occupying the top tier rather than commanding a decisive lead. Still, his position at the head of the pack has given his campaign early momentum.
Shah is best known to Maine voters for his tenure as director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where he became one of the most visible officials in state government during the COVID-19 pandemic. His regular briefings and data-driven approach made him a familiar figure across the state. In 2023, he was appointed principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, effectively the second-in-command at the nation’s top public health agency, and briefly served as acting director before returning to Maine.
According to his campaign website, Shah was born and raised in a small, rural town of 5,000 people in northern Wisconsin. He attended public schools until going to medical and law school at the University of Chicago.
Shah holds an uncommon combination of degrees, earning both an M.D. and a J.D. from the University of Chicago. His background also includes training in economics and epidemiology, a blend his campaign says equips him to address complex challenges such as health care access, housing affordability, and economic stability. He is currently affiliated with Colby College, where he teaches and works on public policy issues.
On the personal front, Shah is married and a father, though he has largely kept his family life private. He does not come from a political family and has emphasized that his path to the governor’s race has been shaped by public service rather than electoral lineage. Of Indian heritage, Shah’s candidacy has drawn national attention as part of a broader wave of Indian Americans seeking higher office, even as his campaign messaging has focused primarily on governance and policy rather than identity.
The Indian American Impact Fund announced its endorsement earlier this month, citing Shah’s crisis leadership, executive experience, and focus on affordability issues affecting working families. The national PAC said Shah’s record in public health and policy aligns with the challenges facing states like Maine, particularly around health care costs, housing, and energy.
The endorsement adds organizational and fundraising strength to Shah’s campaign at a time when candidates are working to distinguish themselves in a crowded field. While Indian Americans make up a small share of Maine’s population, national PAC support can play an important role in building early momentum.
Despite Shah’s slight polling advantage, analysts caution that the race remains wide open, with several rivals clustered within striking distance and many voters still undecided. Maine’s Democratic primary is scheduled for June 2026, and the months ahead are expected to bring intensified campaigning, sharper contrasts, and shifts in voter support.
Cover photo credit: Dr. Nirav Shah’s campaign website.
