Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson has won support from a majority of delegates to effectively secure the Democratic nomination, replacing Graham Platner as the party's candidate to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in November.
At least six Maine Democrats are vying to replace Graham Platner as the party's Senate nominee after the progressive candidate suspended his campaign amid a rape accusation from a former girlfriend. The state Democratic Party will select a replacement to face Sen. Susan Collins in the fall election.
Maine's Democratic Party stated that U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner would not be able to select his replacement if he drops out of the race, while accusing his campaign of attempting to influence the replacement process. Platner's team has denied the accusations.
Growing number of Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are urging Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw from the race following a Politico report of a sexual assault allegation from a woman he dated in 2021. Platner has denied the claim.
Marine veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine with 72% of the vote, defeating Governor Janet Mills. He will face incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the general election despite revelations about his past.
Graham Platner, a political newcomer running for U.S. Senate in Maine, heads into Tuesday's Democratic primary facing intense scrutiny over allegations including a Nazi tattoo, inflammatory Reddit posts, and other controversies that have divided Democrats nationally and prompted concerns from party members in Congress.
Maine's Graham Platner visited Capitol Hill on Tuesday for meetings with Democratic senators following reports that emerged over the weekend. No senators have withdrawn their support for him despite the fresh controversy.
Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner's campaign has confirmed he sent sexually explicit text messages to multiple women during his marriage, according to information his wife shared with the campaign. The scandal threatens his insurgent campaign to unseat longtime Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.
Democratic candidate Graham Platner has raised and spent more money than incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine's U.S. Senate race. Platner's heavy spending reflects both his contentious Democratic primary battle with Governor Janet Mills, who exited the race on April 30, and his anticipated November general election matchup with Collins.
Recent polling shows Nirav Shah leading Maine's Democratic gubernatorial primary, while Graham Platner holds a seven-point advantage over Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election Senate race. The Pan Atlantic Research Survey indicates competitive races ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
Maine Governor Janet Mills suspended her U.S. Senate campaign on April 30, 2026, citing lack of financial resources. Her exit effectively hands the Democratic nomination to Graham Platner, a 41-year-old military veteran and oyster farmer, who will face Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in a race crucial to Democrats' hopes of winning Senate control.
