Key facts
- Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine, has suspended his campaign.
- Platner faces a sexual assault allegation from a former girlfriend.
- Platner denied the allegations.
- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee refused to fund Platner's race if he did not withdraw.
- The Maine Democratic Party must select a replacement candidate by July 27.
- Troy Jackson has launched his Senate bid.
- Nirav Shah, Shenna Bellows, Dan Kleban, and Jordan Wood are considering runs.
Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has suspended his campaign following a sexual assault allegation. Platner denied the accusations, but mounting pressure from within the party, including from Senate leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), led to his withdrawal. The DSCC had stated it would not fund his race if he remained a candidate.
With less than four months until Election Day, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to select a replacement. Troy Jackson, a former Platner ally, has already launched his bid and secured the endorsement of Our Revolution. Other potential candidates considering a run include former public health official Nirav Shah, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban, and former Senate candidate Jordan Wood. Some candidates, like Rep. Jared Golden and Senate President Mattie Daughtry, have ruled themselves out.
Platner's campaign had previously faced scrutiny over resurfaced racist, sexist, and homophobic Reddit posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. Political scientist Seth Masket predicts that voter distrust in institutions will continue to fuel anti-establishment campaigns.