Potential Replacement for Graham Platner After Allegation

Graham Platner, who secured the Democratic nomination for the Senate in Maine in early June, faces the possibility of being replaced on the ballot. According to Maine state law, Platner can be replaced as the nominee if he withdraws from the race by next Monday. The Maine Democratic Party would then have until July 27 to select a replacement.

The political landscape for Maine Democrats becomes uncertain if Platner decides to leave the contest, sparked by a report from Politico alleging that he sexually assaulted a woman he had dated. Although he denied the allegation, Platner mentioned he is taking time to reflect on his political future.

Kate McBrien, the chief of staff to Maine’s secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, stated that the law does not specify how the state Democratic Party should proceed to replace Platner, should he step aside. Charles Dingman, the chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, alongside other party leaders, have expressed on social media their urging for Platner to exit the race. However, Dingman did not immediately respond to messages on Monday.

Top Democratic officials in Maine have discussed potential methods to find a replacement, including organizing a pop-up convention around the weekend of July 25 or holding a statewide caucus to essentially redo the primary. Two sources involved with these discussions revealed these options under anonymity. It has been decided that the state party’s committee, consisting of approximately 100 members, will not select the nominee.

Platner’s win in the Democratic primary was notable following the withdrawal of his main competitor, Governor Janet Mills, due to poor fundraising efforts weeks earlier. McBrien expressed unawareness of a prior instance where a candidate who had won their primary withdrew before the general election.

If Platner withdraws by the deadline, potential candidates who might replace him on the ballot include those who ran for governor but did not win the primary. Potential contenders include Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, and Nirav Shah, a former director of Maine’s public health agency. Additionally, Jordan Wood, who lost a primary for a House district, could also be considered. However, Mills is perceived to be less likely for selection, as she did not reply to messages sent on Monday.