Maine Democrats scramble after Senate nominee Graham Platner quits
What's next: The party set a fast replacement process, with July 15 filing and July 20 signature deadlines for would-be candidates.
Maine Democrats moved to replace Senate nominee Graham Platner after he suspended his campaign days after a sexual assault allegation surfaced. Platner denied the allegation, but support from state and national Democrats collapsed, including backing from Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and the national party cut off financial help. The race is central to Democratic hopes of unseating Republican Sen. Susan Collins and gaining control of the Senate in the November midterms. The Maine Democratic Party said prospective replacements must file by July 15, submit a 300-word grassroots campaign statement and gather 500 valid signatures from voters across at least eight counties by July 20. Nirav Shah, Troy Jackson and Dan Kleban have signaled interest.