December 10, 2025
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — A new poll found that Nirav Shah, previously Maine’s CDC Director and the Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. CDC, is the frontrunner in Maine’s governor’s race.
The new Pan Atlantic Research poll shows Nirav Shah leading the field of 2026 Maine gubernatorial candidates, with 24% of Democratic primary voters saying they would likely support him, five points ahead of the next candidate.
“With health care on the line for millions of Americans, voters are motivated to elect doctors and STEM leaders,” said Erik Polyak, Executive Director of 314 Action. “Nirav Shah is leading the field because voters trust him to follow the facts and tell the truth. As a trusted public health official, Nirav is the candidate Mainers know and trust to lead them as their next governor.”
Research confirms that scientific and medical professionals have some of the highest approval ratings and levels of trust among voters. On the issue of health care—this trend is even more apparent. Polling consistently shows 314 Action Fund endorsed candidates in the lead, even from traditionally red states like Ohio to Iowa. 314 Action candidates are the most trusted, especially when it comes to health care, and already frontrunners in key races across the country.
314 Action is the only national organization working to elect scientists across all levels of government—from the Senate down to local school boards. The organization is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people supporting scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care.
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