Maine contenders: the Democrats who could replace Graham Platner

Jul 09, 2026 - 02:35

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Maine contenders: the Democrats who could replace Graham Platner

Democrats have until 27 July to pick a new candidate to face Susan Collins in November – here are the options so far

A month after he won Maine’s Democratic primary, Graham Platner, the oyster farmer turned insurgent candidate has suspended his campaign after being accused by a former girlfriend of severely sexually assaulting her in 2021 – an allegation he denies as “categorically untrue”.

Now that Platner has said he will file paperwork to withdraw from the race, Maine Democrats have until 27 July to select a replacement to face Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent, in a race widely seen as pivotal to control of the Senate. The state party said on Wednesday it would hold a nominating convention to pick a new candidate.