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Most Mainers will remember Nirav Shah as the head of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention who diligently stepped us through the COVID crisis. But he’s not only a doctor, he’s also a lawyer and economist who has led government organizations, including as principal deputy director and then acting director of the U.S. Center for Diseases Control, and early in his career as the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Since our state has the oldest population in the county, having someone in charge who will stand up to the policies of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is a major plus. Like Janet Mills, our governor who is running for the U.S. Senate, he won’t kowtow to President Donald Trump.
As an epidemiologist, he’ll be on top of any diseases that come our way; as an economist, I believe he’ll keep the state financially healthy; and as a lawyer, he can navigate through policy.
We need someone highly intelligent and skilled. I believe Nirav, the son of Indian immigrants, will have compassion for the horrendous mistreatment of migrants and speak up in their defense. He’s affable and approachable; he articulates clearly and with a sense of humor so he’ll appeal to citizens from all walks of life.
Vote for Nirav Shah. We need him.
Cynthia Stevens
Harpswell