Overview
- Graham Platner announced he was suspending his campaign in an 11‑minute video on Wednesday and said he will file paperwork to withdraw from the June primary nomination.
- A former partner told Politico that Platner sexually assaulted her in 2021, an allegation he denies in his video and public statements.
- Top Maine and national Democrats rescinded endorsements and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and allied groups warned they would withhold funding if Platner remained the nominee, prompting his decision to step aside.
- Maine law requires Platner to withdraw by July 13 to have his name removed from the ballot and gives the state party until July 27 to name a replacement, so the Maine Democratic Party has scheduled a nominating convention to choose the new nominee.
- Potential replacements already running or floated include former state Senate president Troy Jackson, brewery owner Dan Kleban, former public health director Nirav Shah, Jordan Wood, Paige Loud and others, and Democrats must quickly unify a candidate who can compete against long‑time Republican Sen. Susan Collins.