Maine’s former CDC Director Nirav Shah withdrew from the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate on Sunday, July 20, 2026, a day after making his case to party delegates in Augusta. Shah cited the need for party unity to defeat incumbent Senator Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term.

“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.”

Shah’s announcement follows Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ recent suspension of her campaign. Both Shah and Bellows had been competing for the Democratic nomination to replace oyster farmer Graham Platner, who withdrew amid allegations of rape, abuse, and racism despite significant financial backing.

More than 10 candidates initially entered the race, with Shah previously claiming to be the most electable candidate. At the Maine Democratic Special Nominating Meeting on Saturday, Shah emphasized that “the key to defeating Senator Collins is achieving party unity.”

Meanwhile, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) criticized Shah’s candidacy, stating that Maine deserved a “better” candidate and pointing to his handling of a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak while leading Illinois’ public health department.

Democrats in the Pine Tree State are now seeking a new nominee to challenge Collins in the upcoming election.

Sources