Maine Democrats open scramble to replace Platner in key Senate race
What's next: hopefuls must file by July 15 and submit 500 signatures from at least eight counties by July 20.
Maine Democrats moved to replace Senate nominee Graham Platner after he suspended his campaign following a sexual assault allegation he denies, throwing one of the party's top pickup opportunities into turmoil ahead of the November midterms. The state party late Thursday set qualification rules for replacement candidates, requiring a 300-word statement on how they would run a grassroots campaign and 500 valid voter signatures from across Maine, including at least eight counties. Public health expert Nirav Shah, former state senator Troy Jackson and Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban have signaled interest. The race is central to Democratic hopes of unseating Republican Sen. Susan Collins and gaining control of the Senate.