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Overview
Current rolePhysician
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
GenderMale
LocationMaine
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BackgroundPhysician
EducationBS, University of Louisville
Notable personal detailsNirav Dinesh Shah is an American physician, attorney, economist, and public health leader. He served as Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2019–2023) and previously led the Illinois Department of Public Health (2015–2019). He later served as Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023–2025) and became a visiting professor at Colby College. In 2026 he ran as a Democrat for Governor of Maine and has been discussed publicly as a possible Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Maine.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Nirav Shah supports increasing the Homestead Exemption and backing a targeted millionaire’s tax, with the revenue directed to municipalities and education to reduce pressure on property taxes. He also supports allowing towns to use a hotel-stay sales tax for property tax relief and frames his approach around lowering costs for Maine families and expanding economic affordability.
Healthcare
Nirav Shah says health care is a human right and describes a goal of comprehensive, affordable coverage that includes primary care, behavioral health, prescription drugs, and long-term care. He has also said he wants to make health care more affordable and has proposed a day-one effort to address rural hospital instability, insurance barriers, and behavioral health workforce shortages.
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Immigration & Border
He has criticized ICE enforcement tactics in Maine and said he would push back on federal overreach by auditing state data-sharing agreements with federal immigration authorities. He has also said he would work to protect Maine families, reduce abusive ICE cooperation, and support immigrants’ ability to thrive, while not necessarily ending every state-federal data-sharing agreement.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Nirav Shah supports the right to abortion, wants Maine to remain a safe haven for reproductive care, and backs strengthening maternal health programs. He also says Maine should enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution to guarantee them long term.
Climate & Energy
Nirav Shah supports an aggressive climate agenda that reduces emissions, accelerates clean energy, modernizes the grid, and invests in resilience. He also emphasizes smart siting, public transparency, and protecting wildlife and habitat while expanding renewable energy.
Public Safety & Guns
Shah supports Maine's red flag law and says additional measures are needed to keep people safe while respecting the right to own guns. He frames gun violence as a public health crisis and emphasizes safe storage, strong mental health supports, and crisis intervention.
Endorsements
Endorsers of Nirav Shah for General campaign
Maine Education Association
Elected official
The Maine Education Association endorsed Nirav Shah as a ranked-choice primary pick for governor.
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