Brunswick, Maine: A new statewide poll released today shows Nirav Shah in first place in the Democratic primary for governor, leading the field with the highest level of likely support, reflecting the deep trust he built with Mainers during his service at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the growing enthusiasm behind his candidacy.
The new Pan Atlantic Research Poll — conducted November 29 through December 7 — shows Shah leading the field in the 2026 gubernatorial race, with 24% of likely Democratic primary voters saying they would “likely support” his candidacy, the highest of any candidate tested.
“Mainers saw Nirav Shah lead with clarity, compassion, and courage during one of the most difficult moments in our state’s history,” said Campaign Manager Kayla vanWieringen. “That trust didn’t disappear — it has become the foundation of a movement. These results show Mainers believe he is the person to guide us through the challenges ahead as our next Governor.”
Shah, who previously led the Maine CDC before serving as Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. CDC, has earned a reputation as a calm, effective problem-solver who brings people together.
His campaign for governor focuses on making Maine more affordable, strengthening health care, supporting working families, and delivering real results for communities across the state.
In response to the new poll, Shah released the following statement:
“I’m honored and humbled by the support Mainers are showing in this campaign. What I hear every day as I travel across the state — from nurses and small business owners to teachers and retirees — is that Maine people are ready for something different. They want a leader who will deliver real change and tackle big challenges: unsustainable increases to the cost of living and housing, an economy that’s not delivering for people, and a health care system that’s struggling and will only get worse because of Trump. This poll reflects that hunger for change, but it’s only one data point. I’m running to earn Mainers’ trust every single day by listening, learning, and offering real solutions to the challenges families face.”
