Former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah has announced his candidacy for governor, emphasizing his leadership experience and commitment to addressing the state’s pressing challenges.
Nirav Shah, a Democrat and former Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has officially declared his intention to run for governor of Maine. With a background as an attorney, economist, and public health leader, Shah aims to leverage his experience leading the state through the COVID-19 pandemic to bring effective governance to the state’s highest office.
In his announcement, Shah expressed his deep connection to the people of Maine, stating, “Over the years, I’ve been lucky to talk with thousands of Mainers from every corner of our state, and hear their worries and aspirations. Maine is at a crossroads, and we need a governor with proven leadership experience who is ready to tackle our challenges on day one. I’m running for governor to honor what works, fix what doesn’t, and deliver results for our state.”
Shah was appointed as the Director of the Maine CDC by Governor Janet Mills in 2019. Upon taking the role, he focused on revitalizing an agency that had faced significant challenges under the previous Republican administration. His leadership became particularly critical as the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold in early 2020.
During the early stages of the pandemic, Shah took decisive action to secure personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and collaborated with local businesses to enhance the state’s testing capacity. His efforts were instrumental in saving lives during a time of unprecedented crisis.
Reflecting on his tenure as Maine CDC Director, Shah noted, “As Maine CDC Director, I saw how we could get through incredibly tough times together with empathy, resilience, and vision. I’ll bring those same values as governor to tackle big challenges: the unsustainable increases to the cost of living and housing, an economy that’s not delivering for people, and a rural health care system that’s struggling and will only get worse because of Trump.”
Under Shah’s leadership, Maine’s vaccination rollout became a national model, achieving some of the fastest and highest vaccination rates in the country. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Maine recorded one of the lowest death rates nationwide, a testament to the effectiveness of the state’s public health strategies.
Shah emphasized the need for a leader with a diverse skill set to address the challenges facing Maine. He stated, “The challenges facing our state require a leader with a different skill set to bring Mainers more than they have today. I’ve run organizations with tens of thousands of employees and managed multi-billion dollar budgets by being curious, asking tough questions, and demanding accountability. As governor, I will run toward tough problems, not away from them.”
Following his time at the Maine CDC, Shah was appointed by President Biden to serve as the Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he held the agency’s second-highest position. After the election of President Trump, Shah returned to Maine and is currently a visiting professor at Colby College, where he teaches future public health leaders.
Shah resides in Brunswick with his wife, Kara, and their German Shepherd, Fritz. His campaign for governor is expected to focus on public health, economic stability, and the improvement of rural healthcare services, aiming to create a better future for all Mainers.
Source: Original article