Key facts
- Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is under pressure to withdraw due to a sexual assault allegation he denies.
- If Platner withdraws by July 13, the Maine Democratic Party can select a replacement nominee by July 27.
- Potential replacements include former state health director Nirav Shah, former state Senate president Troy Jackson, current Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and Governor Janet Mills.
- Nirav Shah is evaluating a potential run and supports 'Medicare For All'.
- Troy Jackson is 'very, very interested' in running, with a group filing paperwork for his potential candidacy.
- Shenna Bellows previously lost a Senate race to incumbent Susan Collins in 2014.
- Janet Mills suspended her Senate campaign earlier this spring.
Maine's Democratic Party is assessing potential candidates to replace Senate nominee Graham Platner, who is facing calls to withdraw following a sexual assault allegation that he denies. State law permits the party to select a new nominee by July 27 if Platner withdraws by July 13, setting up a potentially competitive race against incumbent Republican Susan Collins in November.
Several prominent Democrats are being considered. Nirav Shah, the former state health director who gained recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic and ran in the recent gubernatorial primary, stated he is 'evaluating' a Senate bid and reiterated his support for 'Medicare For All.' Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president and fifth-generation logger, has expressed significant interest in running, with a group affiliated with him filing preliminary paperwork. Jackson, who was endorsed by Platner and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders in his gubernatorial bid, previously pursued progressive policies while representing a rural district.
Shenna Bellows, Maine's current Secretary of State, who previously ran as the Democratic Senate nominee in 2014 and lost to Collins, is also a potential candidate. She recently drew national attention for ruling Donald Trump ineligible for the state's Republican primary ballot, a decision later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Governor Janet Mills, initially considered a strong contender for the Senate seat, suspended her campaign earlier this spring.