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.
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 No senators have withdrawn their support for him despite the fresh controversy.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.
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.
