Graham Platner Withdraws From Maine U.S. Senate Race, Democrats Begin Replacement Process

Graham Platner officially withdrew from Maine’s U.S. Senate race on Friday, ending the deadline-driven scramble for Democrats to replace him just days before the filing cutoff.

“Who will replace Platner on the Maine ballot”

AP News

Platner wrote in a letter to Maine’s division of elections, “I write to formally withdraw my candidacy for United States Senate,” and Maine’s secretary of state’s office confirmed receipt of the letter.

AP News

The withdrawal triggered a replacement process in which the Maine Democratic Party can select a new nominee, with state law giving them until July 27 at 5 p.m. ET to submit it.

NBC News reported that the filing ended Democratic fears that Platner might reverse his decision or fail to file by the July 13 deadline and ultimately stay in the race.

The winner of the shortened campaign would face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November, in a race NBC described as one that could decide control of the chamber.

Platner’s exit followed misconduct allegations that he denied, including a claim by former girlfriend Jenny Racicot that he forced her to have sex with him in 2021.

In a video announcing his campaign’s suspension, Platner said, “What comes next needs to come from the people, needs to come from the people of Maine,” and he added, “We’re not doing it because of the allegations; we’re doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power.”

BBC

The Maine Democratic Party executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson told NBC News’ “Meet the Press NOW” that “the allegations that were brought against him were very real and they were very credible.”

As the replacement window tightened, the BBC said Democrats faced a 13 July deadline for Platner to officially withdraw and then 27 July to name a replacement.

The BBC also reported that Maine Democrats planned a convention to find a contender to take on Republican Senator Susan Collins in November’s congressional elections.

With Platner’s withdrawal, Democrats began lining up candidates to replace him on the Maine ballot, with the Maine Democratic Party saying it would hold a convention to choose the replacement.

“Washington — Democrats are facing a rapidly closing window to replace Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, of the race Wednesday following a sexual assault allegation”

CBS News

The Maine Monitor described a field of contenders, including Shenna Bellows, who said on Thursday, July 9 that she is entering the race to replace Platner, and it also listed David Costello, Troy Jackson, Dan Kleban, Andrea LaFlamme, and Paige Loud as running.

AP reported that Democrats need to pick a candidate to replace Platner on the ballot by July 27, and that the selected candidate would have less than four months before facing Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.

AP also quoted Nirav Shah encouraging Platner supporters to join him, saying, “You have an important place in this campaign and we welcome your voices,” while Shah framed the effort as values-driven and focused on defeating Susan Collins.

The Intercept reported that candidates entering the race after Platner suspended his campaign are trying to avoid alienating his base while also distancing themselves from his scandal, and it said at least six candidates had officially declared as of Friday.