Platner formally exits Maine Senate race, triggering July 27 scramble
What's next: Maine Democrats must pick a replacement by July 27 in a race central to efforts to unseat Susan Collins.
Graham Platner formally withdrew from Maine’s U.S. Senate race on Friday, ending a campaign that Democrats had hoped could help them compete for control of the chamber. The Maine secretary of state’s office received his paperwork and updated its online withdrawal list. Platner said two days earlier that he would leave the race after a sexual assault allegation surfaced, which he has denied. State law allows Democrats to replace him before the general election, but the party must name a new nominee by July 27. Democrats already moving to fill the slot include Nirav Shah, Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, Dan Kleban, Jordan Wood, Paige Loud, David Costello and Andrea LaFlamme.