Democrats in Maine have a window to replace their Senate candidate, Graham Platner, ahead of the midterm elections on November 3, but that opportunity is slipping away.
On Monday, Politico released a shocking report claiming that Platner’s ex-girlfriend had broken into her home nearly five years ago and raped her.
Despite denying the sexual assault claims, Platner stated he is “mindful” of the political landscape and is “taking time to reflect” on what to do next.
This news comes on the heels of Platner’s quiet cancellation of several campaign events across Maine.
For Democrats aiming to regain the Senate majority, winning the race in Maine—particularly against Republican incumbent Susan Collins—is crucial. They have a chance to replace Platner, provided he resigns by July 13.
Under Maine election rules, Democrats can shift candidates similarly to the transition from Biden to Harris in the 2024 presidential race, without the need for a primary victory.
If Platner decides to withdraw by 5 p.m. on July 13, party officials would be able to choose a new candidate. The party has until July 27 at 5 p.m. to finalize this decision, giving any new candidates about 99 days to campaign—which is about a week less than the time frame for Harris’s hypothetical presidential run.
Maine law doesn’t specify exactly how a replacement candidate should be selected but does require that the new nominee be a “qualified person.”
A resident in Maine mentioned receiving a survey via text earlier that day, before the Politico report, which asked about potential replacements for Platner. The survey noted that some voters were considering labor leader Brian Bryant and asked how they felt about him versus Collins.
Another name suggested for the role is former state Senator Troy Jackson, a progressive Democratic figure who previously ran for governor. Jackson has garnered support from notable figures like Representative Ro Khanna and Senator Bernie Sanders.
While Governor Janet Mills could also be an option, Platner won against her in the primary.
As it stands, Platner is still the Democratic nominee, with no official plans for a replacement announced yet. However, some within the party are reportedly reassessing their support.
Khanna publicly withdrew his backing just a couple of hours after the allegations surfaced, urging Platner to step down.
“I’ve been clear: sexual assault and violence against women is a hard line,” Khanna stated. “These allegations are serious and credible. Graham Platner should withdraw from the race.”
A public opinion poll conducted from June 23 to 27—prior to knowledge of the sexual assault allegation but following other claims—showed Collins leading Platner by three points (50-47%).
Platner had already lost some credibility within the party due to past accusations of misogynistic behavior from ex-girlfriends, a scandal involving leaked sexts, offensive posts on Reddit, and a concealed tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.
