Former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah emerged as the frontrunner in the state’s Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday, setting up an outcome that will be decided through Maine’s ranked-choice voting system after no candidate secured an outright majority.
With nearly all first-choice ballots counted, Shah received 26.8% of the vote, ahead of former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree at 22.9%. Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson followed with 21.8%, while Secretary of State Shenna Bellows captured 20.6%. Businessman Angus King III finished fifth with 8%.
READ: Gubernatorial candidate Nirav Shah makes final pitch to Maine voters (June 8, 2026)
Because no candidate surpassed the 50% threshold required for an immediate victory, election officials will now redistribute votes from eliminated candidates based on voters’ next preferences. The process, a hallmark of Maine’s ranked-choice voting system, is expected to determine the Democratic nominee in the coming days.
Shah’s first-place finish reinforces the political profile he built during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he served as director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. His calm and data-driven public briefings made him one of the state’s most recognizable public officials and earned him broad name recognition heading into the race.
The Democratic contest attracted a competitive field reflecting different wings of the party. Pingree campaigned on economic development, housing affordability, and climate resilience. Jackson focused heavily on labor issues and rural communities, while Bellows emphasized her experience overseeing elections and state government. King, son of U.S. Senator Angus King, sought to position himself as a pragmatic statewide candidate.
READ: Physician groups back Dr. Nirav Shah in Maine Governor Race (January 12, 2026)
Although Shah led the initial vote count, his margin remained narrow. He finished 3.9 percentage points ahead of Pingree, 5 points ahead of Jackson, and 6.2 points ahead of Bellows, underscoring the fragmented nature of the race and the importance of second-choice votes.
The winner of the Democratic nomination will advance to the November general election to replace Democratic Governor Janet Mills, who is term-limited and cannot seek another consecutive term.
For Indian Americans, Shah’s strong showing represents a notable moment in state-level politics. If he ultimately secures the nomination and wins in November, he would become one of the most prominent Indian American leaders in the country, adding to the growing influence of the diasporic community in the U.S.
The ranked-choice tabulation process is expected to continue until one candidate surpasses the majority threshold and is formally declared the Democratic nominee.