Brunswick, Maine, USA: Dr Nirav Shah, a public health expert of Indian descent and former Principal Deputy Director at the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, officially declared his candidacy for governor of Maine. Born to Indian immigrant parents, Shah highlighted his commitment to addressing pressing issues like rising living costs and affordable housing.
Shah, who led the Maine CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic, said his campaign will prioritise practical leadership and restoring trust in government institutions.
Born in 1977 in Wisconsin, Shah was raised in the same state before pursuing higher education at the University of Louisville, where he earned degrees in psychology and biology in 1999. His career spans public health, law, and economics, reflecting a multifaceted approach to leadership.
“I’ve had the privilege of speaking with thousands of Mainers across the state and understanding their hopes and concerns,” Shah said. “Maine is at a pivotal moment. We need a governor with proven leadership who can address challenges from day one. I’m running to build on what works, fix what doesn’t, and deliver tangible results for our state.”
Reflecting on his experience at the Maine CDC, Shah noted, “I witnessed firsthand how empathy, resilience, and strategic vision can help communities navigate difficult times. As governor, I will apply these same values to tackle major challenges, including skyrocketing living costs, economic stagnation, and a rural healthcare system under strain.”
Shah stressed his expertise in management and problem-solving: “Our state faces complex problems that demand leaders with diverse skills. I’ve led organisations with tens of thousands of employees and managed budgets worth billions by being curious, asking tough questions, and holding people accountable. As governor, I’ll confront difficult issues head-on rather than avoid them.”
In 2019, Governor Janet Mills appointed Shah as director of the Maine CDC, where he revitalised the agency after years of budget cuts. During the pandemic, he acted decisively to secure protective equipment, expand testing, and coordinate one of the fastest vaccination campaigns in the nation, helping Maine achieve one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates in the U.S.
His pandemic leadership later earned him a federal appointment as Principal Deputy Director of the CDC under President Joe Biden. After completing his tenure in Washington, Shah returned to Maine, where he teaches at Colby College and remains actively involved in local initiatives.
Shah resides in Brunswick with his wife, Kara, and their German Shepherd, Fritz. His campaign will officially launch on Monday with events across Maine, including stops in Portland, Lewiston, Waterville, and Brunswick.
