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Second Democrat drops out of Maine primary

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Second Democrat drops out of Maine primary

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Maine’s former CDC Director Nirav Shah dropped out of the Democratic primary for Senate on Sunday, a day after pleading his case to delegates in Augusta.

“A few weeks ago, I entered this race because I could not accept the idea of Susan Collins gliding to a sixth term at the very moment Maine families are being forced to pay the price for her votes,” Shah wrote in a statement on X.

“Today, I am stepping aside, and I am doing it for exactly the same reason that led me to get in: we must defeat Susan Collins, and the Democratic Party must be unified to do it,” he added.

His statement follows Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ decision to suspend her campaign.

Both Shah and Bellows were vying for the spot vacated by oyster farmer Graham Platner, whose platform gained traction but was overcome by allegations of rape, abuse and racism.

Democrats in the Pine Tree State are now scrambling to find a replacement for Platner, who pulled in millions from PACs such as Act Blue and Majority Forward.

More than 10 candidates threw their hat in the ring to earn the party nomination, but former state Sen. Troy Jackson (D) is leading the pack.

Shah endorsed Jackson on Sunday, arguing he was the best candidate to defeat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in November.

However, less than 24 hours ago, Shah claimed to be the most electable out of the crowded field of candidates to replace Graham.

“Senator Collins has been able to be elected and re-elected is that every cycle she peels off a small percentage of Democrats who cross over and vote for her. The key to defeating Senator Collins is achieving party unity,” Shah said on Saturday at the Maine Democratic Special Nominating Meeting.

“The candidate who can keep Democrats unified is going to be the candidate who is most able to defeat her. The reason why that matters is that I am the candidate that has the strongest case for electability,” the former Maine CDC director added.

Early in his campaign, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said Maine deserved a “better” candidate than Shah, criticizing the way he handled a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak while leading Illinois’ public health department.

Tags Graham PlatnerMaine Senate primaryMidterm electionsNirav ShahNirav ShahSen. Susan CollinsShenna BellowsSusan CollinsTroy Jackson

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Nancy Mace won’t run for Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat

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Firebrand Republican Rep. Nancy Mace announced Monday that she will not run for the South Carolina Senate seat held by the late Lindsey Graham.

“I’m not running for the U.S. Senate, not because I’m backing down from a fight, but because the one I’m already in matters right now,” she said in a video announcement.

Her decision comes after a fifth-place primary finish in her run for governor earlier this year and as the race to succeed Graham is already taking shape.

Mace began exploring the viability of a potential bid just hours after Graham’s death became public, two people familiar with her thinking told Blue Light News at the time, but decided against a second statewide bid in as many months.

Her decision effectively guarantees she will not be serving in elected office once her term ends early next year.

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