Key facts
- Maine Democrats will select a nominee to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
- Eight candidates will participate in the U.S. Senate debate on Thursday.
- Graham Platner withdrew his candidacy following sexual assault allegations.
- The Maine Democratic Party will choose its nominee at a convention on July 25.
- Candidates must collect 500 signatures by Monday to be eligible.
Maine Democrats are scrambling to select a nominee to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in November, following the withdrawal of Graham Platner amid sexual assault allegations. The party faces a critical need to win this seat to potentially regain control of the Senate.
News Center Maine, the station hosting a U.S. Senate debate on Thursday, expanded the field to eight declared candidates after initially planning to limit participation. This decision came after calls from campaigns, including that of former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, for broader inclusion. Initially, only candidates who had secured at least 20% of the vote in their primary races were invited, a threshold that excluded several contenders.
Among the nine Democrats vying for the nomination, Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah, and ex-congressional aide Jordan Wood met the original criteria. Social worker Paige Loud and former political aide David Costello fell short of the 20% threshold. Kleban, former state Representative Elizabeth Dickerson, and Ashley Webb were not on the ballot last month but were invited under the new criteria. Webb will not participate as she did not file by Tuesday's deadline.
Platner's campaign collapsed after sexual assault allegations, which he denies. His withdrawal has prompted a scramble among prospective candidates to replace him. The Maine Democratic Party is set to select its nominee at a convention on July 25 in Bangor, where delegates will vote until a candidate achieves a majority. Candidates must file their intent to seek the nomination by Wednesday and collect 500 signatures by Monday.