Maine Democrats scramble after Senate nominee Platner quits race

Maine Democrats are racing to replace US Senate nominee Graham Platner after he suspended his campaign days after a sexual assault allegation from an ex-girlfriend 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 campaign funding. The seat is central to Democrats' hopes of flipping the Senate in November because Republican Sen. Susan Collins is one of the party's top targets. The Maine Democratic Party said prospective replacements must file declarations of intent by July 15 and submit 500 valid signatures from at least eight counties by July 20. Possible contenders include Nirav Shah, Troy Jackson and Dan Kleban.