Maine Democrats set July deadlines 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 their Senate nominee after Graham Platner’s withdrawal upended the party’s effort to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Late Thursday, the state party set qualification rules for replacement candidates, requiring a 300-word statement on how they would run a grassroots campaign and 500 valid voter signatures drawn from at least eight counties. Declarations of intent are due July 15, with signatures due July 20. Public health expert Nirav Shah, former state Sen. Troy Jackson and Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban have entered the scramble. It remains unclear whether Gov. Janet Mills will reenter the race after suspending her own campaign earlier this year.