Graham Platner Faces Pressure to Drop Maine Senate Bid Against Susan Collins

Democratic Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner’s team quietly polled potential replacements as pressure mounted for him to drop out of the race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

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Algemeiner

POLITICO reported the flash poll tested head-to-head matchups between Collins and Platner, along with five possible Democratic replacements including former Maine state Senate President Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.

Algemeiner

The poll was conducted over a 24-hour period and tested 785 Maine voters, showing Platner trailing Collins 47 percent to 42 percent with 11 percent undecided.

The survey also tested Jackson, Bellows, former Senate candidate Jordan Wood, former public health official Nirav Shah, and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in matchups with Collins, with Jackson leading Collins 49 percent to 44 percent and 7 percent undecided.

Under state law, if Platner were to withdraw from the race by 5 p.m. on Monday, the Maine Democratic Party would have to pick his replacement by July 27, and Platner’s campaign said “in no scenario is there a legal possibility for a nominee to be selected by an individual campaign.”

Democratic pressure intensified on Tuesday as Sen. Bernie Sanders urged Graham Platner to step aside, saying, “In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside.”

The Spokesman-Review reported that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the chorus, telling reporters at City Hall: “I believe that it’s time for him to drop out of the race.”

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The Politico report said Platner’s campaign canceled planned fundraisers, took down online ads, and had not appeared in public since the latest scandal erupted, while his campaign surveyed volunteers about next steps.

Politico also said the poll came one day after POLITICO reported that a woman who Platner dated said he forced her to have sex with him, which he denied, and that Platner said he was “taking the time to reflect” on his candidacy.

The Spokesman-Review added that if Platner ends his bid by July 13, state Democratic Party leaders would be empowered to pick a replacement on the ballot for the November elections, with potential replacements including Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah, and Shenna Bellows.

As the replacement scramble grew, Politico said Platner’s team contacted Maine Democratic Party officials about the process for replacing him on the November ballot, and that the conversation turned contentious.

“Skip to Main Content Platner campaign quietly polls potential replacements as pressure mounts The poll tested head-to-head matchups between Republican Sen”

Politico

Politico reported that Jackson performed best among the Democrats tested, leading Collins 49 percent to 44 percent, while Bellows and Shah essentially tied Collins at 47 percent and 45 percent, respectively.

Algemeiner described potential replacement dynamics as Maine Democrats prepare for selecting a new nominee, saying under Maine law Platner would have to withdraw by July 13 for Democrats to choose a replacement before the November election.

Algemeiner quoted Nirav Shah saying, “Right now, our number one priority must be defeating Senator Susan Collins,” and added that he said he was evaluating whether he should enter the Senate race as the Maine Democratic Party determines the nominating process.

The Spokesman-Review said the main campaign arm of Senate Democrats called on Platner to drop out and would spend no money on the race if he is the nominee, while also listing potential replacements including Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah, and Shenna Bellows.