Maine Democrats open scramble to replace Senate nominee Platner
What's next: Candidates 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 denied. The abrupt exit upended one of the party's top pickup opportunities against Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a state Democrats carried in the 2024 presidential race. Late Thursday, the state party set rules for a replacement contest that require a 300-word grassroots campaign statement and 500 valid voter signatures from across Maine, including support in at least eight counties. Public health expert Nirav Shah, former state Sen. Troy Jackson and Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban have entered the race, while it remains unclear whether Gov. Janet Mills will run.