Sen Tammy Duckworth strongly opposes Maine Senate candidate Nirav Shah
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CNN anchor Brianna Keilar interviewed Dr. He grilled Nirav Shah on the withdrawal of embattled Graham Platner, citing Democratic Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s harsh criticism of his record, shortly after he threw himself into the ring for a Senate seat in Maine.
Shah finished second in Maine’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, but faced stiff opposition from parts of his own party because of his past record. Duckworth, herself a combat veteran, revived earlier criticism of how Illinois handled the deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak during her tenure leading the public health department.
“Maine deserves better than someone who puts his public image ahead of the safety of our Veterans,” he wrote in X on Thursday. “Many of our heroes lost their lives under Nirav Shah’s watch as Illinois Public Health Director. I called for his resignation then, and now I strongly oppose him running for Senate.”
On Friday, Keilar asked for Duckworth’s response to the he said.
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Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Dr., saying he was unworthy to serve as a Maine senator. He blasted Nirav Shah’s record. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“The epidemic he was talking about in 2015 was tragic,” he said. “And unfortunately, American veterans have lost their lives. And I have the deepest respect for Sen. Duckworth and her service to this country. I disagree with her on that. The health department would respond to an emergency in the setting of a legionnaires’ outbreak the same way the fire department would.”
He added: “In this case, we intervened after the outbreak started. We helped suppress the outbreak and made sure it didn’t get worse than it already was. That outbreak was carefully studied by the CDC and others. And indeed, in the wake of that outbreak, Maine’s Democratic governor, and indeed the Biden Administration, hired me for top public health positions.”
Keilar grilled him, claiming that the fire department comparison was inaccurate because the fire department is known for its rapid response to crises.
“So I know you said they responded the same way a fire department would,” he said. “The fire department normally responds very quickly. And I know you said you were proud of the response, which is certainly consistent with what you said today. You said it was prompt, coordinated and responsive. But aside from what we heard from the senator, Illinois’ auditor general did a pretty in-depth investigation and prepared a report that specifically outlined that the response was none of the things you described.”
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While Graham Platner withdrew from the race, Dr. Nirav D. Shah threw his hat into the ring and ran towards the seat. (Staff photo: Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
“Maine voters are known for being very independent. They want this told to them directly. How can they trust you to be honest with them in difficult times when this report is certainly very different from how you describe your department’s response to Legionnaires’ disease at the time?” he asked. “For example, I think it was about three days after it was confirmed that there were multiple cases of Legionnaires’ before we even got to the veterans’ home.”
“Yes, that last part is not true. The county health department immediately contacted the facility. Then, as the situation evolved, they contacted the state health department. That’s when we got involved,” Shah replied.
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Dr. Nirav Shah defended his role as director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that he is a leader who has served in times of crisis. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
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“In the event of any outbreak in crisis, we can always improve coordination between state, county and federal authorities,” he added.
Shah continued to uphold his record of leadership in a time of crisis, particularly his service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I learned a lot during the Legionnaires’ crisis and I’m a better leader for it,” he said. “If what we demand are perfect leaders, then we have untested leaders. I am a tested leader and a better leader as a result.”
