On the Issues
Dr. Nirav Shah is running to defeat Susan Collins, hold Trump accountable, and end the corruption in Washington. See below for Dr. Shah’s policy positions to build an affordable, safe future where every Mainer can get ahead.
As Maine’s Next Senator, Dr. Shah Will Fight To:
Hold Donald Trump Accountable
Stand up when the administration ignores the law, defies Congress and the courts, or targets its critics. Stop Trump and his family from profiting off their power. Use the Senate’s oversight power like it matters and as it was intended: subpoenas, hearings, and votes, not strongly worded statements.
Guarantee Health Care for All and Lower Health Care Costs
Pass Medicare for All, because health care is a right, not a privilege. Keep rural hospitals open, expand mental health care, lower the cost of health care, and end the era of insurance companies unjustly standing between patients and their doctors.
Protect and Expand Social Security
No cuts, no eligibility age increases, and no privatization. Scrap the cap so millionaires pay in on every dollar like a nurse or a lobsterman does, and expand benefits.
Lower Prescription Drug Costs
Let Medicare negotiate the price of every drug and let everyone benefit from those negotiated prices, cap insulin and out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for every American, and end the price gouging that forces Maine seniors to cut pills in half.
Pass the PRO Act and Stand Up for Labor
Protect every worker’s right to organize and bargain collectively, from the shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works to the nurses and paper mill workers who keep Maine running, and crack down on union busting and wage theft.
Write Reproductive Freedom Into Federal Law
Codify the protections of Roe so no politician and no court can take them away again, and defend IVF and contraception. Dr. Shah will not accept promises in place of protections.
Make Housing Affordable
Invest in building homes of every kind across Maine, expand rural housing programs, help first-time buyers, and crack down on the private equity firms buying up Maine neighborhoods. Slash red tape to make it easier to build.
Raise the Federal Minimum Wage
Bring the rest of the country up to the standard Maine has already set, and index the federal floor to the cost of living so workers never have to wait on Congress for a raise again.
Cut Costs for Working Families
Expand the Child Tax Credit, reverse Trump’s SNAP cuts, and guarantee paid family and medical leave, because no Mainer should have to choose between caring for a sick child or parent and keeping their paycheck.
Guarantee Universal Child Care
Make child care a guarantee for every family so no Maine parent pays more for care than they can afford or leaves the workforce because child care costs more than a mortgage. Raise pay for child care workers so providers can keep their doors open, expand pre-K, and treat child care like the essential infrastructure that it is, because our economy depends on it.
Put Higher Education Within Reach
Higher education has become so expensive that working families can no longer afford it. We need free public college, community college, and trade schools so that no one faces a barrier to their future.
Make the Wealthy and Big Corporations Pay What They Owe
Fix a rigged tax code so the super wealthy and the biggest corporations finally pay their fair share, close the loopholes their lobbyists wrote, and use that revenue to help hard-working Maine families get ahead, not to fund another giveaway at the top.
Invest in Public Schools and Job Training
Fully fund public education so every Maine child goes to a great school no matter their zip code, raise teacher pay, free lunch for every child, and oppose voucher schemes that drain money from public schools to subsidize private ones. We will also expand career and technical education, apprenticeships, and job training so Mainers can build a good career without leaving the state or taking on a mountain of debt.
End the Trump Tariffs and Bring Down Prices
The tariffs are a tax on Maine families, driving up the prices of groceries, heating oil, and lumber and inviting retaliation against Maine’s lobster industry. End them once and for all, restore normal trade with Canada, and take on corporate price gouging.
Fight Climate Change, Lower Energy Costs and Defend Maine’s Working Waterfronts
Invest in offshore wind and clean energy jobs built by Maine workers, protect the Gulf of Maine, and guarantee lobstermen and fishermen a seat at the table in every decision that touches their livelihood.
Keep Maine Communities Safe
Fully fund the local police, firefighters, and EMS that rural Maine depends on, take on the fentanyl crisis with real investments in treatment and pass commonsense gun safety measures like universal background checks while respecting Maine’s hunting heritage.
Fix Our Broken Immigration System and Abolish ICE
Pass a path to citizenship for the new Mainers who keep our economy running, and abolish the broken, lawless ICE agency and rebuild an immigration system that works and is accountable.
Restore American Leadership and End Reckless Foreign Wars
No president should take America to war without a vote of Congress. End all wars of choice, halt U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, stand with Ukraine until it wins the peace it deserves, and rebuild the alliances Trump has trashed. Restore USAID and America’s humanitarian leadership in the world, because feeding the hungry and fighting disease keeps America safe and strong. Walking away just cedes the field to China.
Rein In Big Tech and Protect Kids Online
Hold social media companies accountable for the harm their platforms cause to kids’ mental health, pass a real federal privacy law so Mainers own their own data, and stop letting a handful of tech monopolies write their own rules in Washington.
Keep Our Promises to Maine Veterans
Reverse the Trump administration’s gutting of the VA, which has pushed out tens of thousands of VA workers, including thousands of doctors, nurses, and mental health providers, and has left veterans waiting longer for care. Stop the creeping privatization of veterans’ health care, fully staff Togus and Maine’s VA clinics, expand access for rural veterans, and end veteran homelessness. Maine has one of the highest shares of veterans by population of any state. A benefit earned in uniform is a promise, not a line item.
Pass Term Limits for Congress
No one should hold a Senate seat for thirty years. Dr. Shah supports term limits for every member of Congress because public office is a public trust, not a career, and Washington needs new voices to make sure current issues are being heard in the halls of government.
Root Out Corruption in Washington
Ban members of Congress and their staff from trading stocks or betting on prediction markets, slam shut the revolving door, overturn Citizens United, and drag dark money into the light. No public official should profit from public office.
A Foreign Policy for Maine
For too long, our foreign policy has been on autopilot. We ignored how the world was changing and failed to connect our actions abroad to what matters most to Maine. President Trump’s reckless foreign policy has made matters worse. His tariffs and senseless war with Iran have increased costs for Maine families and businesses. He has weakened relationships with our closest allies, dismantled America’s diplomatic and development tools, and repeatedly put his own interests ahead of our country’s. As a result, America has less influence, our economy faces greater uncertainty, and Maine is less secure.
Maine benefits from strong U.S. leadership in the world. We share a border with Canada, sit closer to Europe and Africa than any other state, and depend on trade, tourism, and international partnerships to support our economy. When America engages responsibly abroad, Maine prospers at home. President Trump’s reckless foreign policy has made Mainers less safe, hurt relationships with our closest allies, and put his own interests ahead of America’s. As Senator, I will focus on a foreign policy that expands economic opportunities for Maine businesses, keeps Mainers safe from threats abroad, and restores America’s credibility around the world.
Dr. Shah’s Foreign Policy for Maine will:
- Reengage the world through responsible leadership and renew America’s diplomatic, defense, and development institutions to protect U.S. interests. This includes regaining the trust of key allies and partners and returning to important international bodies.
- Repair relations with Canada by disavowing President Trump’s hostility, reaffirming the importance of our northern neighbor, and continuing a constructive dialogue on trade, workers’ rights, and cross-border infrastructure.
- Promote fair trade by investing in U.S. competitiveness, including access to strategic minerals, and preventing foreign governments from manipulating markets and stealing intellectual property.
- Restore global health leadership by building stronger U.S. capabilities, research institutions, and international partnerships to keep Americans safe from infectious diseases, including Ebola and other emerging outbreaks, and prevent another deadly pandemic.
- Safeguard our climate and oceans by affirming science and working with global partners to strengthen climate resilience, protect our oceans, and support sustainable fisheries.
- Defend our homeland by hardening critical infrastructure against terrorism, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and cyberattacks.
- Stand up to Chinese actions that threaten our partners abroad and our security at home. We must compete and confront, when necessary, without forgoing opportunities to cooperate on shared global priorities.
- End the war with Iran by holding the Trump administration accountable for deceiving the American people and causing fuel and fertilizer prices to spike at the expense of Maine’s economy.
- Freeze assistance to Israel until it ceases its genocidal campaign in Gaza, its war in southern Lebanon, and its illegal expansion of settlements. We will stand firm that opposition to Israeli government policies is not an attack on Judaism or the Jewish people.
- Investigate allegations of corruption and self-dealing by the Trump administration and members of the president’s family. Perceptions of corruption in American foreign policy damage our country’s standing and endanger U.S. national security.
Dr. Nirav Shah’s Policy Positions From His Campaign for Governor
The below are policy positions that he outlined during his campaign for governor. We are including them here so voters can understand generally where he stands on the issues.
Health Care
Health care is a human right for all, not a privilege for the few. And right now, too many Mainers are struggling to afford the care they need. As Governor, I will lower out-of-pocket costs, cap prescription drug prices, and invest in the workforce we need to expand access across the state. We will also hold health insurance companies accountable and limit their ability to deny care that your provider recommends. And we will do all this while working toward the long-term goal of universal, affordable care for every Mainer.
Housing
Maine is in the midst of a housing crisis. And if we don’t act, more families will be priced out of the communities they call home. We must build more homes at scale, cut red tape that slows down construction, and support first-time homebuyers. As Governor, I will prioritize solutions like ADUs, protections for renters, and smart limits on short-term rentals so Mainers can afford to live and stay here.
Food Insecurity
No child and no family in Maine should go hungry – full stop. Food insecurity, especially among children, is unacceptable in a state as strong as ours. As Governor, I will use every tool available, including our Rainy Day Fund when necessary, to ensure every Mainer has access to the food they need to live healthy, stable lives.
Defending Maine from Trump
We cannot ignore the very real threat President Trump poses to our health, our safety, our rights, our economy, and our communities. I believe Maine must be ready to stand up and fight back. As Governor, I will implement a comprehensive plan to safeguard our state, protecting our laws, our people, and our values from federal overreach.
Energy
Energy costs are simply too high, and Mainers are paying the price. I believe we need a two-track strategy: immediate relief and long-term solutions. As Governor, I will rein in excessive utility profits, expand energy assistance, improve winter fuel planning, and invest in modernizing our grid to lower costs and stabilize our energy future.
Small Business
Small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s economy, and their success is our success. As Governor, I will make it easier to start and grow a business by simplifying outdated systems, supporting first hires, and helping retiring owners transition their businesses. I will also ensure we are investing in local industries, from main street businesses to family farms, so Maine businesses can thrive.
Education
Our education system is facing real challenges, and we owe it to our students and educators to do better. I believe in strengthening public education from early childhood through graduation. As Governor, I will expand early childhood education, raise teacher salaries to competitive levels, support students with wraparound services, and implement evidence-based approaches like science of reading to improve outcomes statewide. I am proud to have earned the Maine Education Association’s third-choice endorsement because I will always stand with our public school teachers.
Environment
Maine’s beautiful environment and outdoors are central to who we are: our economy, our health, and our way of life. I believe we must both protect what we have and prepare for what’s ahead. As Governor, I will accelerate clean energy, combat PFAS contamination, and strengthen protections against climate impacts, all while standing up to any federal efforts to roll back environmental safeguards.
Property Taxes
Too many Maine families are stretched thin by rising property taxes. I believe we must deliver real, meaningful relief. As Governor, I will expand the Homestead Exemption for permanent residents and support using new revenue, including the millionaires tax, to reduce the burden on homeowners and renters across the state.
Supporting Older Mainers
Maine is the oldest state in the nation, and we must ensure our seniors can age with dignity and independence. I believe in supporting older Mainers and the families who care for them. As Governor, I will expand caregiver workforce programs, invest in aging-in-place initiatives, and strengthen services that address isolation, hunger, and long-term care needs.
Reproductive Rights
Reproductive freedom is fundamental, and I fully support a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. As a public health professional, I know these decisions belong between a patient and their doctor, not the government. As Governor, I will protect and strengthen Maine’s laws, expand access for those facing economic barriers, enhance privacy protections, and ensure Maine remains a safe haven for reproductive care. I will also ensure the state has a strategic mifepristone stockpile to protect access to this life saving medication.
LGBTQ Rights
I stand unequivocally with Maine’s LGBTQ+ community, especially young people who deserve to feel safe, supported, and respected. The Maine Human Rights Act is clear, and we must uphold it. As Governor, I will expand access to mental health support, protect trans Mainers from discrimination, and ensure Maine remains a place where everyone can live openly and with dignity.
Veterans' Issues
Those who served our country should never have to come home and fight for basic care, stability, or opportunity. Veterans across Maine answered the call to serve and continued giving back long after their time in uniform ended. Yet too many still face challenges accessing health care, paying for college, finding affordable housing, navigating support systems, or getting the help they need in the communities they call home. As Governor, I’ll make sure veterans’ issues are a priority, expand access to waiver programs, care, and services veterans have earned, strengthen support in rural communities, and ensure that Maine always has the backs of those who’ve served our country.
Gun Safety
We can respect Maine’s strong hunting traditions while also taking common-sense steps to keep people safe. In particular, we must focus on preventing tragedy. As Governor, I will prioritize suicide prevention, strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence, and support practical, evidence-based measures that reduce gun violence while respecting responsible ownership.
Tribal Sovereignty
I believe deeply in tribal sovereignty, and as Governor I will treat the Wabanaki Nations as the sovereign governments they are, with respect, partnership, and action. I will sign legislation restoring tribal sovereignty as soon as it is presented to me, and build on my experience working alongside tribal leaders to address public health, environmental, and economic challenges.
Criminal Justice
My background as an attorney has shaped my belief that we need a justice system that is fair, effective, and focused on outcomes. Right now, too many Mainers, especially those facing mental health or substance use challenges, are cycling through a system that isn’t serving them. As Governor, I will expand treatment and diversion programs, support parole reform, strengthen our public defense system, and ensure law enforcement can focus on serious crime while we address the root issues that cause it.
Elections and Democracy
Protecting our democracy is fundamental. As an attorney, I know Maine must be prepared to defend its elections from interference and ensure every voter has access to the ballot. As Governor, I will introduce a Maine Election Sovereignty Act, strengthen voter data protections, establish an election protection task force, and expand access to voting across the state.
Unions
I strongly support unions because they remain one of the most powerful tools for working people to secure dignity, fair pay, safe workplaces, and a better future for their families. And workers deserve a real voice in decisions that affect their lives. As Governor, I will defend the right to organize, bargain collectively, and strike. I will also ensure labor has a seat at the table, and stand with workers when their rights are under attack. I will work closely with state employees and their representatives to address workplace concerns and make sure Maine leads by example as an employer.
Childcare
Childcare is both a moral issue and an economic one, and right now, it’s too expensive for families and unsustainable for providers. I believe we need a new model. As Governor, I will pursue public-private partnerships that bring employers into the solution, expand grants to grow capacity, and strengthen the workforce so families can access the care they need and businesses can grow.
Mental Health and Substance Use
Mental health and substance use challenges are affecting families across Maine, and we must do more to meet this moment. I believe care should be accessible, integrated, and stigma-free. As Governor, I will expand behavioral health services, integrate care into primary care settings, increase access to telehealth, especially in rural areas, and build the workforce needed to deliver timely support.
Data Centers
Maine families should not subsidize massive corporate energy users. I would have signed the bipartisan data center moratorium bill vetoed by Governor Janet Mills because Maine deserves the opportunity to fully understand the impact these projects could have on electricity costs, water use, and our environment before moving ahead. As Governor, I will ensure high-energy projects are developed transparently, protect ratepayers from bearing added costs, and make sure growth works for Maine communities — not the other way around.
Accessibility and Transparency
Mainers deserve a government that shows up, listens, and is accountable. That’s how I’ve run this campaign, and it’s how I will govern. As Governor, I have pledged to hold regular town halls across the state on a monthly basis, expand opportunities for public input, and ensure Mainers always know what their government is doing and how to be part of it.
Read the Full Plans
Dr. Shah’s detailed policy plans from his campaign for governor