In an unprecedented political atmosphere, Maine needs a new mold of Democrat to deliver pragmatic solutions and direction. Nirav Shah is that Democrat.

I, along with many Mainers, have experienced the efficacy of his leadership firsthand. A member of the Morse High Class of ’24, my high school years were marked by COVID-19. Nirav’s response to the crisis not only helped bring a sense of normalcy back to school, but his daily briefings engaged my high school and college-age peers in a way I had never seen before. 

His qualifications go well beyond his time as the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Holding a law degree, medical degree and master’s degree in economics, he is uniquely positioned to grapple with the challenges facing our state, from legal battles with the federal government, to health care access, to the affordability and housing crisis. Nirav stands out for his knowledge of how to improve life for Mainers, not just an eagerness to do so.

Like Nirav, I am the son of Indian immigrants. I feel comfort in the fact that he can empathize with the experiences of new Mainers — now a more vulnerable community than ever. As ICE increases activities in Maine, he is the only candidate delivering actions, not just statements. There is no one I would rather have at the helm of Maine’s response to threats against immigrant communities, and no one better suited to lead our state for the next four years. 

Noah D’Souza
Arrowsic