Graham Platner announced in a video shared Wednesday night that he would be filing paperwork to withdraw from the race for Maine’s seat in the United States Senate. So what happens next?
The Maine Democratic Party announced following an emergency meeting held in anticipation of Platner’s announcement that they would be selecting a new candidate to take his place via a special nominating convention.
According to the Portland Press Herald, an anonymous source revealed that the party is planning to hold a 600-person convention to select Platner’s replacement.
Details of when or where this convention will be held, however, have not yet been released.
[RELATED: Platner Withdraws from Senate Race, Leaving Door Open for New Candidate to Step In]
Under Maine State Law, the Democratic Party has until the fourth Monday in July, which this year falls on the 27th, to find someone to take Platner’s place in the race against Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
Platner has until Monday, July 13 to file paperwork with the Maine Secretary of State’s Office formally withdrawing his name from the race.
Because state law does not prescribe a specific procedure for political parties to replace candidates that withdraw after winning a primary election, the Democrats were free to decide for themselves how to proceed with choosing a new candidate.
“There is an unprecedented amount of energy and enthusiasm among Maine Democrats, driven in part by many of the dedicated volunteers and supporters who were inspired by Graham Platner’s campaign,” party Chair Charlie Dingman, Vice Chair Imke Schessler and Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson said in a statement.
“We look forward to coming together and harnessing that energy around our new nominee as we work to defeat Susan Collins in November,” the party said.
The Portland outlet also reported that Murphy-Anderson confirmed earlier in the week that the Democratic Party was “committed to an open and transparent process.”
“The process will be determined under consideration of what passes legal review, and what ensures a breadth of participation from Maine Democrats,” she said at the time.
As soon as Platner’s withdrawal from the race became apparent, candidates began coming forward expressing an interest in throwing their hat in the ring to take his place.
Among those who have put their name in the running for Platner’s position as the Democratic nominee for Maine’s seat in the United States Senate include former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, former director of Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Nirav Shah, and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
Former congressional staffer Jordan Wood said he would be “humbled” to be selected as the replacement candidate for Maine U.S. Senate seat.
Also expressing interest in the position as nominee have been David Costello, Dan Kleban, and Paige Loud.
It would be hilarious if he changed his mind on Monday. These morons deserve no less.