U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth urged Maine Democrats on Friday to reject Nirav Shah as he seeks the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, citing Shah’s conduct while serving as Illinois’ top public health official during a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.
What Duckworth said
In a post on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter early Friday morning, Duckworth wrote that “Maine deserves better” than Shah and criticized his handling of the outbreak. She said too many people died under Shah’s watch and that she had called for his resignation at the time.
“Too many of our heroes lost their lives under Nirav Shah’s watch as Illinois Public Health Director. I called for his resignation then, and I strongly oppose his run for Senate now,”
Duckworth’s intervention adds a national voice to a contest that has already drawn attention in Maine since Graham Platner’s announcement that he would leave the race. The call from Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat now serving in the U.S. Senate, places a focus on Shah’s record in public health leadership.
Shah’s response
Shah issued a statement Friday, expressing “deep respect” for Duckworth and referencing her military service. He noted that the Biden administration reviewed his public health record in both Illinois and Maine and subsequently hired him to work on national public health issues.
Shah also pointed to his recent showing in Maine’s gubernatorial primary, saying voters gave him “more first-choice votes than any other candidate in the gubernatorial primary.” He emphasized that he answered voter questions during the campaign about the Legionnaires’ outbreak and described his public communications during Maine’s COVID-19 response, saying Mainers saw him “stand at that podium every day and told them the truth, even when it was hard.”
He concluded by urging Democrats to stop attacking one another and to focus on the general election matchup with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, adding, “I won’t take that bait, and I don’t believe Mainers will either.”
Context and local implications
Shah has held prominent public health roles at the state and federal levels, including service as the agency’s second in command at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before returning to Maine-based public matters. In January 2023, Sen. Collins publicly welcomed his appointment to the federal public health agency.
Duckworth’s public rebuke brings broader scrutiny to Shah’s record at a moment when Maine Democrats are sorting through a crowded — and closely watched — contest to challenge Collins. For Maine voters, the exchange underscores how national figures and past health emergency responses are shaping the conversation within the state.
- Who spoke: U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and Nirav Shah.
- Primary issues raised: Shah’s handling of a Legionnaires’ outbreak when he was Illinois Public Health Director; Shah’s record and federal review of his service.
- Immediate implication: An invitation to Maine Democrats to oppose Shah as a Senate candidate and heighten attention on public-health leadership in the campaign.
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Duckworth’s action | Public call to oppose Shah, early Friday post |
| Shah’s rebuttal | Statement noting Biden administration review and primary vote totals |
| Related actors | Graham Platner (vacating race), Sen. Susan Collins (incumbent) |
As the Democratic field in Maine continues to shape up, voters and local party officials will likely watch whether Duckworth’s comments sway endorsements or primary dynamics. For now, Shah remains a candidate who points to his federal public health experience and his recent support among Maine voters as defenses against criticism.
News Block will continue to follow developments in the race and report statements from Maine Democrats and other stakeholders as they react to this intervention.
