SULLIVAN, Maine – The stunning collapse of Democratic nominee Graham Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign has plunged Maine Democrats into an unprecedented race against the clock, forcing party leaders to rapidly organize a nominating convention to select a new challenger to Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
Platner suspended his campaign following high-profile sexual assault allegations, setting off a political firestorm that quickly unraveled what had been the Democratic Party’s effort to unseat Collins in one of the nation’s closely watched Senate races.
The catalyst came when a former girlfriend publicly accused Platner of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident in 2021. Shortly afterward, a second woman came forward accusing him of sexual misconduct.
In a video statement posted to social media, Platner denied the allegations. However, he acknowledged that the rapid loss of political support had made it impossible to continue fundraising or mounting a viable statewide campaign, prompting him to suspend campaign operations.
The political fallout was immediate.
Several of Platner’s highest-profile supporters, including Senators Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer, and Elizabeth Warren, swiftly rescinded their endorsements. At the same time, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee warned that it would withhold all investment in the pivotal Maine Senate race unless Platner stepped aside.
With Platner’s exit occurring just ahead of Maine’s official July 13 candidate withdrawal deadline, state law allows the Maine Democratic Party to formally select a replacement nominee to appear on the November ballot against Collins.
That process is now underway.
The Maine Democratic Party’s executive committee convened an emergency meeting and voted to hold an in-person nominating convention to determine who will become the party’s new nominee.
The convention is expected to seat approximately 600 delegates. Around 500 of those delegates will be selected through expedited meetings conducted by county-level Democratic committees across the state.
State law requires the party to officially certify its replacement nominee to the Secretary of State no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 27. Party leadership has indicated that the convention’s location and complete schedule will be announced in the coming days.
Even before delegates have been selected, attention has already shifted to the growing field of potential successors.
Among those considered possible contenders are Dan Kleban, who previously sought the Democratic nomination, former Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows, and former Nirav Shah.
The coming days will determine not only who becomes the Democratic nominee, but also who will inherit a statewide campaign with little time remaining before the general election. With county committees preparing to choose delegates and party leaders organizing an emergency convention, Maine Democrats now face the challenge of rebuilding their Senate campaign after one of the most dramatic political shakeups in recent state history.
Oh to be a fly on that wall.
The Gateway Pundit has an article saying Platner is now supporting Valli Geiger as the replacement Dem candidate for Senator.
The losers convention to pick another sacrificial lamb, all these woke dems are narcissistic masochists. Idiots.
Planter and his wife are victims of the Democratic Machine.
He and his wife were used by the Democratic leadership and that those “INDEPENDENT” who meet and vote with the Democrats
but will not admit to it, King.
Berine, AOC, The Group, The Indian from Mass and on goes the big mouth Democrats who have made life tough for all us normal folks, letting all these illegals in to Maine and China grown grass .
VOTE THEM ALL OUT.
What a pussy. He should have told them “TO POUND SAND” and hung in there to fight the good fight like a real Marine with a Totenkopf tattoo would do. Look at all the morons who voted for this guy, and all the libturds who had his sign up in their yards. Now the police should pay this guy a visit and give him the E. Jean Carroll treatment.
Democrats will “pick” another candidate. Yep. thats how they roll. They never seem to stick with the one the people vote for.
No turmoil this was the plan from the beginning. Now they can install exactly who they want.
Voting isn’t done in the Democrat Party. Appointments are the answer, exactly like the Communists around the world do. Remember Dumbos, “we” know what is best.
When rank choice voting doesn’t work there is always this option….
The democrats will now have a convention and see how many people they can fit in a porta-potty.
@mainer–now THAT’S funny!
Rather than seek glory, WHAT ABOUT REPRESENTING HE VOTERS, THE CITIZENS OF MAINE, THE NEEDS, WHAT IS INTENDED OF GOVERNMENT, NOT SOME OFF-CENTER AGENDA, AND CARE NOT AGENDA? Includes communications, needs, how government can assist, and not the current selfishness and win at any cost, that include known and validated lies, fraud, crime, violence, victims, etc? The budget is a joke, late, includes only one party, etc.
I am tired of elected not representing, asking, in communications, and working to take resources and not doing just personal things with it. WHY?? We must share that blame, and demand of elected they top the isolation.
Sorry, but the demonstrated minions ALL need to get out and let reasonable and the proper intent of government return. When people refuse to pay for the TRIPE, the lesson slams home!
Do you suppose one will need a photo ID to attend?