Maine Democrats scramble to replace withdrawn Senate nominee Graham Platner

Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner quit the Maine race after a newly reported sexual‑assault allegation. His departure left the party with a $2.2 million cash shortfall and a deadline to name a replacement by July 27. The Maine Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention on July 25, where about 600 delegates from the state’s counties will vote in successive rounds to select a new candidate to face Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.

Sixteen candidates have filed notices of intent, including former public‑health official Nirav Shah, former Senate president Troy Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former aide Jordan Wood and others. Shah has already met the signature threshold, gathering the required 500 signatures from Democratic voters in at least eight counties. Progressives urged the hopeful nominees to sign a seven‑point platform covering Medicare for All, housing, labor rights and ICE abolition. A televised debate among four leading contenders is set for Thursday.

Platner’s campaign had raised $16.3 million and held $2.2 million cash on hand, far exceeding the modest war chests of most prospective replacements, while Collins has about $10 million. The financial gap adds pressure on Maine Democrats to quickly coalesce around a viable challenger as the Senate seat is seen as pivotal to the chamber’s balance of power.