Sandra Smith Congdon lives in Saco.

I’m happy to be volunteering for two Democratic campaigns this year — Dr. Nirav Shah for governor and Graham Platner for U.S. Senate — with the hope of making a difference in Maine and across the nation. I was tired of complaining about the current administration from the sidelines and felt the need to do something. Supporting these candidates gets me excited about Maine’s future.

I’d like to focus on why I’m supporting Dr. Nirav Shah for governor of Maine. My family moved to Maine at the beginning of the pandemic,  when uncertainty dominated everything. That is when I first encountered Dr. Shah through his daily updates. His thoughtful, fact-based briefings were easy to understand and delivered with both compassion and empathy. He handled even the most challenging questions with grace, respected all perspectives and became a trusted voice not just in Maine but nationally.

What impressed me most was his intellectual honesty — his willingness to admit when he didn’t have an answer, and his commitment to finding it and following up. There was no ego, just a genuine desire to ensure Mainers had the information they needed to protect themselves and their loved ones. At one point, I told my husband we needed someone as smart and empathetic as Nirav to run for president. When he announced his candidacy for governor, I immediately signed up to volunteer.

While he’s best known for his pandemic leadership, his qualifications run much deeper. Dr. Shah brings more than 10 years of executive government experience to this race. Beyond his public health expertise, he holds degrees in both law and economics and practiced law for several years before entering public service.

His time as principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — an agency with a larger budget than Maine’s entire state government and just as many employees — gave him extensive experience navigating legislative processes and the complexities of federal bureaucracy. This unique combination of executive leadership, legal training, economic understanding and governmental expertise makes him exceptionally well prepared to lead our state.

I’m particularly inspired by his policy priorities: housing affordability, rising health care costs, food security for children, economic growth and standing up to federal overreach. I encourage you to attend one of his town halls and ask hard questions. He’ll listen, and he’ll give you honest answers. After a recent town hall in Saco, every person I spoke with told me the same thing — they had supported him before, but after hearing him speak and respond to questions, they were all in.

If you’re feeling discouraged about the current state of politics, please take action. Attend a town hall. There are several excellent Democrats running for governor — hear them out and find the candidate who resonates with you and build a coalition behind them. Even a few hours a month can make a difference. You’ll meet people who share your values, and you’ll feel that hope return. And remember, Maine has ranked-choice voting, so knowing your second and third choices matter. The Democratic caucuses on Feb. 28 and March 1 are perfect opportunities to hear from candidates and engage with your community on the issues that matter most.

As we head into the primary, we have the chance to make a real difference at the state and national level, so I encourage you to participate. You’ll feel better that you did.