Former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah has withdrawn from the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, becoming the second Democrat to leave the contest. His exit came Sunday, one day after he made his case to party delegates in Augusta.
Shah had only recently joined the race, saying he could not accept the idea of Sen. Susan Collins moving toward reelection without a serious challenge. His decision to step aside now quickly reshapes the Democratic field in Maine.
The move highlights how unsettled the party’s Senate primary has been, with candidates trying to build support in a short window. Shah’s departure also underscores the importance of delegate outreach and early campaign momentum in a competitive statewide race.
With another Democrat out, attention now turns to the remaining contenders and how the party will position itself for a general election matchup against Collins. The primary field is narrower, but the broader fight over Maine’s Senate seat is still taking shape.
