Washington, D.C.— Indian American Impact Fund, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering South Asian and Indian American communities, has officially endorsed Nirav Shah in his historic bid to become Maine's next governor. This endorsement marks a significant moment for Indian American representation in U.S. politics and provides crucial momentum to Shah's Democratic primary campaign as he seeks to make history as the state's first Indian American governor.
Key Facts
• Indian American Impact Fund announced its endorsement on January 15, 2026, describing Shah as a “proven public health leader” with steady, results-driven leadership
• Maine's Democratic primary elections are scheduled for June 9, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026
• If elected, Shah would become the first Indian American governor of Maine, following a national wave of South Asian Americans stepping into higher office.
Nirav Shah has emerged with a narrow but significant early advantage in Maine's competitive Democratic primary race. Multiple candidates are running, but no single contender commands a decisive lead at this stage of the campaign.
Shah first gained prominence as director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where he guided the state through the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. His regular briefings and data-driven approach made him a recognizable figure across Maine.
In 2023, his career took a major turn when he was appointed Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making him the agency's second-in-command. He briefly served as acting director before stepping down in early 2025.
Shah then returned to Maine and joined Colby College as a visiting professor, where he continues to teach and work on public policy issues affecting working families and communities.
The Indian American Impact Fund cited Shah's
as key reasons for the endorsement. The national PAC emphasized that his record in public health and policy directly addresses challenges facing Maine, particularly around healthcare costs, housing affordability, and energy security.
This endorsement carries significant weight beyond symbolic support. The organization has invested over $20 million since its 2016 founding to engage South Asian and Asian American communities and elevate nearly 200 candidates into public office.
The endorsement provides Shah's campaign with organizational strength and fundraising capabilities at a critical moment when candidates work to distinguish themselves in a crowded field.
Shah brings an uncommon educational background to the race. He holds both an M.D. and J. D. from the University of Chicago, along with training in economics and epidemiology. Born and raised in a small rural town of 5,000 people in northern Wisconsin, he has emphasized that his path to the governor's race has been shaped by public service rather than political lineage or electoral connections.
While Indian Americans represent a small percentage of Maine's population, national PAC support and organizational backing can play a crucial role in building early momentum and establishing candidate credibility. Political observers describe Maine's Democratic primary as competitive and fluid, with many voters still undecided about their preference.
— Indian American Impact Fund
Shah officially launched his gubernatorial campaign in October 2025, and a statewide poll conducted in December showed him leading the Democratic primary field. However, analysts caution that the race remains wide open, with several rivals clustered within striking distance.
The months ahead are expected to bring intensified campaigning, sharper contrasts between candidates, and potential shifts in voter support.
With Maine's primary just five months away, Shah's endorsement from the Indian American Impact Fund represents a turning point in his campaign. The national organization's backing signals confidence in his candidacy while highlighting the growing political power of Indian Americans and South Asian communities across the United States.
Do You Know?
In 2000, only 5 Indian Americans had been elected to public office in the entire United States. By 2024, that number had grown to over 300 South Asian American elected leaders serving across the country at local, state, and federal levels, representing a remarkable 6,000 percent increase in political representation within just 24 years.
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