Portland, Maine

The race is heating up to find a replacement for former candidate Graham Platner in the Maine Democratic state Senate contest against long-serving Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Candidates have until Wednesday to turn in their nomination ballots to the state party. So far, eight Democrats have entered the fray, and the decision will be made by 601 voting delegates during the Maine Democratic Party’s convention on July 25.

Platner, a populist who received backing from progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders last September, had a strong showing in the Democratic primary earlier in June. He was in a high-stakes race against Collins, which many saw as pivotal in deciding the balance of power in the Senate ahead of the midterm elections.

A military veteran and oyster farmer, Platner’s campaign energized the Democratic establishment. However, even after winning the nomination, he faced pressure to step down due to various scandals, including serious allegations made by a former girlfriend.

Democratic Candidates Push for Action

Following Platner’s withdrawal last week, prompted by demands from Democratic leaders for him to exit the race due to scandalous reports, the state Democratic Party is racing against the clock. They’ve scheduled special nominating meetings in all 16 counties this weekend so party members can vote for delegates.

These delegates will come together next Saturday in Bangor, Maine, to select their party candidates. In an open letter to the state party, the grassroots campaign organizers who had rallied behind Platner made it clear that support won’t automatically continue for whoever the party picks next. They emphasized that they would back candidates who openly support their progressive initiatives.

This indicates that unifying various factions within the Democratic Party base could be quite a challenge for the eventual nominee.

Nirav Shah

Nirav Shah, who previously led the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and served as principal deputy director at the federal CDC, came in first in last month’s gubernatorial primary but did not secure the nomination in ranked-choice voting. He asserted that his campaign welcomes Platner’s supporters and acknowledges the need for their voices.

Troy Jackson

Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president and logger, also finished third in the gubernatorial primary. He collaborated with Platner during the campaign and secured endorsements from both Platner and Sanders. Jackson is now gathering support from Our Revolution, a group founded by Sanders.

He articulated that this movement transcends individual candidates, aiming instead to combat systemic inequalities and advocate for progressive causes.

Shenna Bellows

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows placed fourth in the gubernatorial primary but is determined to flip the Senate seat in November. She cited priorities like universal health care and workers’ rights in a recent social media post.

Bellows previously faced Collins in the 2014 elections and was defeated by a significant margin. Should she secure the nomination, it would be an opportunity for her to challenge Collins once again.

Jordan Wood

Jordan Wood, a former congressional staffer, also aims for the Senate seat. He initially focused on running for the House but shifted gears when the current representative announced they wouldn’t seek reelection. Wood emphasizes his commitment to a grassroots movement free from corporate influence.

David Costello

Costello, competing for the Senate nomination again, is reflecting on his previous campaign experiences. He garnered 8% of the vote in the recent primary and has previously run against strong incumbents.

Dan Kleban

Kleban, a co-founder of the Maine Beer Company, initially sought the Senate seat but later withdrew and chose to endorse Gov. Janet Mills. He highlighted the need for transparency and unity within the party.

Paige Loud

Social worker Paige Loud, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District, stresses the importance of maintaining momentum in the grassroots movement while seeking a Senate nomination.

Elizabeth Dickerson

Formerly serving in the state Legislature and having experience as a teacher, Dickerson emphasizes the widening gap between the wealthy and the impoverished, advocating for more equitable representation in her campaign.