Opinion: A science teacher’s case for Nirav Shah as governor

SUN JOURNAL • January 18, 2026

As a science educator, it’s dizzying to watch decades of evidence be ignored. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, the U.S. ramped up funding for research and overhauled science education to focus on critical thinking. That investment fueled decades of innovation. Today, we face challenges that are every bit as complex. Climate change is real. Maine’s winters are warmer, its coastline is eroding and extreme storms are more frequent. Maine is also grappling with shifts in traditional industries like fishing and forestry. Maine needs experienced, compassionate, intelligent leadership. ~ Maria Palopoli, Brunswick