Nirav Shah First Democrat in Maine Senate Race

Shah, who led the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday, making his candidacy official.

He joins a field that already includes several Republicans vying for the nomination to challenge Collins, who is seeking a fifth term in 2026.

Shah, a physician and public health expert, gained statewide recognition for his daily briefings during the pandemic. He has not yet announced a campaign platform, but his entry gives Democrats a prominent candidate in a race that national parties are watching closely.

Collins, a moderate Republican, has won reelection by comfortable margins in the past, but Democrats see Maine as a potential pickup opportunity in a midterm cycle that could be favorable to their party.

Shah's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his filing.