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Maine Democrats scramble
Maine Democrats are racing to replace their U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner after pressure mounted for him to withdraw, with the process contingent on him dropping out and a looming Monday deadline.
In a video posted to social media, Maine Democratic Party executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson vowed the state party would create a candidate selection process that was "open, inclusive, transparent and fair," while accusing Platner’s team of trying to tip the scales.
The Hill reported that Platner campaign manager Ben Chin sent a mass text alleging the state party allowed the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm "to send staffers to plan a potential nominating process behind closed doors."
A spokesperson for the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm contested the claim, calling it "false," and said the Maine Democratic Party is working to put forth an open process to select a nominee.
Who could replace him
As Democrats weigh possible contenders, CNN reported that three of the possible contenders — Nirav Shah, Troy Jackson and Shenna Bellows — are eyeing the Senate race fresh off their own failed gubernatorial bids.
In an interview Tuesday with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Jackson said, "Short timeline, obviously money and all that. It’s gonna be a challenge, but I definitely think it’s doable," as he acknowledged the sprint ahead of a race against Susan Collins.
CNN also reported that another Democrat, Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban, formally declared for the race on Wednesday, writing, "I believe I can unite our party and finally defeat Susan Collins in November," in a Substack post he later shared on X.
NPR reported that Platner has until July 13 to drop out in order for the party to select a new nominee, and that if he does not withdraw by this coming Monday, he will remain on the ballot come November.
National stakes and next steps
The stakes for Democrats are tied to Senate control, with NPR saying the party needs to net a total of four seats to win back the majority in the Senate and that Maine is key to that effort.
“Maine Democrats would have less than three weeks to find a new candidate to take on the nation’s most formidable blue-state Republican in one of their party’s most important midterms contests”
NPR also reported that President Trump lost the state in 2024, and that party officials believe Collins could be vulnerable in a year when the GOP is facing political headwinds.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that actor Patrick Dempsey ruled out replacing Graham Platner in the U.S. Senate race, writing in an opinion article for the Portland Press Herald, "After a lot of thought, I realized the answer is no."
In the same Guardian report, Dempsey said he concluded he could do more productive work through his non-profit, the Dempsey Center in Maine, which provides supportive care to people affected by cancer at no cost.
