Highlights:
- Nirav Shah officially entered Maine's Democratic US Senate race.
- His announcement came after Graham Platner withdrew from the contest.
- Platner denied a sexual assault allegation but ended his campaign.
- Shah said he is ready to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
- Democrats must select their replacement Senate nominee by July 27.
FORMER Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Nirav Shah officially entered the race Thursday to become the Democratic nominee for the US Senate seat in Maine, a day after Graham Platner announced he would withdraw following a sexual assault allegation that he has denied.
Shah, who finished second in the Democratic primary for governor, had already begun reaching out to donors and signaling his interest in the Senate race before making his candidacy official in a post on X. His entry comes as Maine Democrats prepare to choose a replacement nominee after Platner’s withdrawal from one of the party’s key Senate races.
“Establishment politicians have failed us,” Shah said. “To defeat Susan Collins, we need an outsider who is not afraid to take on the broken system she has spent decades upholding.”
“I’m proud to have dedicated my career to public service, and to have delivered for Mainers in our darkest times,” Shah added. “Now, in this unprecedented moment, I’m ready to unite our party and fight for you once again.”
Before formally entering the race, Shah said he was encouraged by early fundraising conversations and believed he was well-positioned after leading the first round of the Democratic gubernatorial primary before losing to Hannah Pingree under ranked-choice voting.
“I am optimistic and enthusiastic about my ability to fundraise again and be able to unseat Sen. (Susan) Collins here,” Shah said.
He said much of the campaign structure from his gubernatorial bid, including communications, field organizing and finance operations, could be used in a Senate campaign. While declining to identify specific donors, Shah said early fundraising conversations had generated support.
“The initial, very preliminary fundraising calls that I’ve had have been met with a high degree of enthusiasm and pledges to support my efforts if I were to get in,” he said.
Platner announced Wednesday (8) that he would leave the race after Politico reported allegations by Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident, who said Platner forced her to have sex with him nearly five years ago despite her repeatedly objecting. Platner denied the allegation and said his decision to withdraw was not an admission of guilt.
In an 11-minute video posted on social media, Platner said the process to choose his replacement should be “open, transparent and democratic” and reflect the will and values of his supporters. “People in DC need to stay in DC,” Platner said. “Decisions should not be made by people in places of political power.”
The allegation prompted several Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna of California, to withdraw their support. “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna said Monday. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”
The Maine Democratic Party also called on Platner to withdraw.
Shah said there is “not very much light” between his policies and Platner’s.
“We both share the same progressive ideals of Medicare for All, halting arms sales to Israel, holding corporations accountable for destroying our environment and taxing the billionaire class to make sure that those who can pay more are paying more,” Shah said.
Former Senate president Troy Jackson is also exploring a Senate bid and sent a fundraising email Wednesday, writing: “This US Senate race, like the governor’s race, has never been about one single person or one single policy.”
“It’s about the fact that our systems have been rigged for the ultra-wealthy oligarchs for far too long. Working-class folks have been left behind, shut down, and shut out — not just by the extreme MAGA GOP, but by our own party’s elite, too.” Under state law, Democrats can choose a replacement nominee if Platner formally withdraws by July 13. The new nominee must be selected by July 27. Maine is viewed as a key Senate battleground as Democrats seek a net gain of four seats to take control of the 100-member chamber.
