They Ushered Their States through COVID-19 - Now They Want to Lead Them

Nirav Shah understands that not everyone agrees with how he led the state of Maine through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. And he is happy to admit that he made some mistakes. That, he argues, is why he should be governor. 

"I have taken tough questions about COVID; and as a result, I am a better leader,” said Shah, a leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Maine who ran the state’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2019 to 2023. "If I knew then what I know now, what would I have done differently? I think one of the reasons why my candidacy has traction is that I’ve been very open about it."

Shah is one of a small but growing group of doctors and public health officials, including Ohio's Dr. Amy Acton, who helped helm their states through the coronavirus pandemic and are now either holding or running for office. Their candidacies offer a test for how those involved in the pandemic response discuss their work, how the public feels about the more controversial actions taken in the name of keeping people safe and whether voters will be turned off by memories of the dark period.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.