THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Latest From NPR Maine Democrats say Platner's campaign is trying to influence replacement process NPR | By Barbara Sprunt Published July 8, 2026 at 9:20 AM EDT Twitter LinkedIn Email Laura Brett / Getty Images Graham Platner speaks to voters at a town hall at the Elks Lodge 188 on June 7, 2026 in Portland, Maine. The Maine Democratic Party called out Graham Platner's team late Tuesday for pushing to influence the process to replace him, should he withdraw from the race for U.S. Senate. "Unfortunately, Graham Platner's team has repeatedly reached out to us in an attempt to put their thumb on the scale of what this process looks like," Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson said in a video posted to social media . "We have repeatedly reiterated to Graham Platner's team that they have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, nor in determining what this process looks like." The Platner campaign did not respond to a request for comment, but in a statement to Politico denied it was trying to exert influence. Pressure is building for Platner to withdraw from the race, following an allegation of sexual assault re…

Breaking News: Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has suspended his campaign. Now, find someone sane and baggage free. I need thorough vetting to be the first thing and last thing Democrats think about.

Who are the top contenders to replace Graham Platner? Maine Senate race explained Maine Democrats scramble to replace Senate candidate Graham Platner, who suspended his campaign due to sexual assault allegations. 

Now 81° Thu 82° Fri 77° byAUSTIN DENEAN | The National News Desk (TNND) —Maine Democrats are racing to figure out how toreplace their Senate nomineeafter sexual assault allegations upended one of the year’s most important races, threatening the party’s chances of flipping a seat that will play a major role in deciding control of the upper chamber. Graham Platner, who handily won the Democratic primary, isunder mounting pressure to back outof the race after a womanaccused himof entering her home five years ago and forcing himself on her despite repeated pleas to stop. Platner has denied the allegations but said he was “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.” Democrats have been thrust into a last-minute scramble devise a process for choosing a new candidate that satisfies voters while giving the party its best chance to defeat Sen. Susan Collins. Maine’s Senate seat is one of the most closely watched contests in this year’s midterms and will be pivotal for both parties hoping to control the Senate after November. The clock is ticking for Democrats, who are anxious to get Platner off the ballot in a high-stakes race and only have days to settle on a path. Unde…

Who could replace Graham Platner in Maine Senate race? ELECTIONS Democratic Party Add Topic These 12 Democrats could replace Graham Platner if he drops out Nick Penzenstadler Margie Cullen USA TODAY July 7, 2026 Updated July 8, 2026, 11:26 a.m. ET Hear this story Maine Democrats would have to act quickly if Senate candidate Graham Platner listens to the growing chorus for him to withdraw from the race over sexual assault allegations , but they have options. The state’s unprecedented last-minute rush for a replacement echoes the sprint campaign Kamala Harris launched after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race in July 2024. Platner said he was “taking time to reflect on the best path forward,” in a video posted on social media on July 6. He has until July 13, according to state rules, to withdraw and be replaced on statewide ballots. Process could be swift, behind the scenes The Maine Democratic Party would be responsible for naming a replacement by July 27. GOP Sen. Susan Collins, 73, holds the seat. But the race is widely-viewed as an opportunity for Democrats to pick up a seat and flip the balance of the body from Republican control. Party leadership called fo…

Maine Democrats say Platner's campaign is trying to influence replacement process The state Democratic Party accused Platner's campaign of trying to "put their thumb on the scale" of the process to replace him if he drops his bid for Senate. Platner's team has denied doing so.

Who will replace Platner on the Maine ballot? These Democrats are raising their hands <p>PORTLAND, Maine &#8212; Democrats in Maine began jockeying Thursday to become the new candidate for a pivotal U.S. Senate seat after progressive nominee Graham Platner announced he will withdraw from the race after a sexual assault allegation.</p>

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Graham Platner in the Senate ... CNN - US Politics Brianna Soukup/Portland Portland Press Herald/Getty Images/File via CNN Newsource Dan Kleban By CNN Newsource Published July 8, 2026 11:14 am By Sarah Ferris, CNN (CNN) — Maine Democrats now have less than three weeks to find a new candidate to take on the nation’s most formidable blue-state Republican in one of their party’s most important midterms contests. With the party’s current nominee, Graham Platner, saying Wednesday he was suspending his campaign in the face of heavy intraparty pressure, a field of prospective candidates is quickly emerging to take on five-term GOP Sen. Susan Collins. The behind-the-scenes scramble is being closely watched by Democrats in Washington, who see Maine as a critical seat in their effort to flip the Senate this November. But so far there’s no consensus pick, and anxiety is mounting inside the Democratic Party about how to elevate a top-tier nominee after Platner’s high-profile meltdown just 100 days from the election. Before Platner announced he was dropping his bid, the Maine Democratic Party on Wednesday approved a plan to hold a nominating conventio…

Platner drops Maine Senate bid, hailing campaign effort to 'end the ... Politics Platner drops Maine Senate bid, hailing campaign effort to ‘end the genocide’ Anti-Israel Democratic candidate with covered-over Nazi tattoo exits amid sexual assault allegations. Former U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at his Primary Election event on June 9, 2026 in Blue Hill, Maine. (CJ Gunther/Getty Images) Advertisement By Grace Gilson July 8, 2026 9:12 pm Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Maine Democrat Graham Platner announced Wednesday evening that he will drop out of the U.S. Senate race following new allegations that he had committed sexual assault. “We believe that for the movement to continue, it can’t be me, and for that reason, we are suspending campaign operations,” he said. Platner’s withdrawal came two days after Politico reported that a former girlfriend had accused him of entering her home uninvited about five years ago and forcing her to have sex with him. “All we were asking for was healthcare, was to end the genocide, to use our taxpayer dollars at home to uplift our communities instead of waging war overseas,” Platner said in a Facebook address announcing his…

Search for Graham Platner's replacement underway after Senate campaign suspension Search for Graham Platner's replacement underway after Senate campaign suspension Graham Plattner is out and we are answering some questions on the fallout surrounding his campaign in May. Plattner suspended his race for US Senate on Wednesday following *** serious sexual assault allegation that surfaced. *** former girlfriend accused him of forcing himself on her in late 2021. Plattner continues to deny that allegation, but it follows *** series of other controversies that tainted his campaign. Now Plattner's exit begs the question. Who replaces him? *** mix of people are already jumping in, including former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, local brewery owner Dan Cleburn, and Maine's former CDC director and gubernatorial candidate Naurav Shah, to name *** few. Whoever it is, Democrats are scrambling to find their new candidate in less than 3 weeks. In fact, they're holding *** nominating convention with hundreds of delegates from across the state to find Plattner's replacement. Updated: 3:22 PM CDT Jul 9, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Amy Lu Washington Correspondent Advertisement Search for Graham …

How Graham Platner's campaign could cost Senate Democrats Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing mounting pressure to end his campaign following a serious sexual assault allegation. Democrats now deal with the fallout. Advertisement Updated: 5:07 PM EDT Jul 7, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Amy Lu Washington Correspondent Charlee Caudill Producer How Graham Platner's campaign could cost Senate Democrats Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing mounting pressure to end his campaign following a serious sexual assault allegation. Democrats now deal with the fallout. Updated: 5:07 PM EDT Jul 7, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Amy Lu Washington Correspondent Charlee Caudill Producer WASHINGTON — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has faced growing calls to end his U.S. Senate bid after a woman he used to date accused Platner of forcing himself on her in late 2021, an allegation he and his campaign have denied. "Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false," Platner said in a recorded video statement. Advertisement But political analysts said the sexual assault allegation has already done its damage and thrown Democrats' national strategy into …

Dems pressuring Graham Platner to move on from Maine Senate race POLITICS U.S. Senate Add Topic Democrats continue pressuring Graham Platner to step down from Maine Senate race Terry Collins Zachary Schermele USA TODAY Updated July 7, 2026, 6:56 p.m. ET Hear this story Democratic leaders are pressuring Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race following a new sexual assault allegation. Prominent supporters, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren, and Ro Khanna, have all withdrawn their endorsements from Platner. Platner has denied the allegation from a woman he previously dated, calling any accusation of non-consensual behavior "categorically untrue." The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has stated it will not invest in the race if Platner remains the nominee. Democratic leaders are continuing to pressure Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from his scandal-ridden campaign, a day after a new sexual assault allegation . The latest senators asking Platner to step aside are Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders . Warren and Sanders have been two of Platner's most ardent and high-profile supporters in Congr…

Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate bid, clearing way for Democrats to pick new nominee Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate bid, clearing way for Democrats to pick new nominee Breaking news. Graham Plattner is out and it's chaos for Democrats. Plattner, who handedly clinched the Democratic nomination in Maine last month, just announced he's dropping out of Maine's race for US Senate. His sudden exit follows *** serious sexual assault allegation from *** woman who says he forced himself on her in late 2021. Plattner and his campaign repeated denied that allegation. Any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is categorically false. So what happens next? Democrats were banking on *** Plattner win against Republican incumbent Susan Collins to help retake the Senate in November. This is really excruciating for the Democrats who thought that they had *** real opportunity to pick up the Senate here. The math hasn't changed. They still need 4 seats, but the state of Maine was supposed to be one of those. Updated: 10:12 PM EDT Jul 8, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and MEG KINNARD Associated Press Advertisement Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate bid, clearing way for Democr…

What to know about Graham Platner and the Maine US Senate race Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Blue Hill, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — The Maine Democratic Party on Wednesday voted to hold a convention now that Democratic Graham Platner has announced he’ll drop out of the state’s U.S. Senate race after a former girlfriendaccused him of sexual assault. Platner, who denies the allegation, faced considerable pressure from his own party to quit the race. The first-time candidate also has been accused of trying to influence how his replacement is selected — a claim he also denied. Platner’s planned departure have left a crucial U.S. Senate race unsettled just months before the November midterm elections. The Maine Democratic Party, which by law is responsible for naming a replacement, announced it’ll move forward with holding a nominating convention to choose a new nominee. Meanwhile, potential contenders have already begunteasing their interest. Here’s what we know about the Maine Senate race and what could be next: A…

"The Maine Democratic Party has the absurdly unenviable task of fixing an incredibly shitty situation Platner caused. I have no idea what they intend to do, but I’ll bet it’s magnitudes more reasonable than attempting a Senate campaign with a credible rape accusation that he knew would [come out]."

Graham Platner suspends bid for Maine Senate seat amid sexual assault ... Graham Platner speaks to a crowd of over 6,000 before Bernie Sanders gets on stage at Fighting Oligarchy rally at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Monday, September 1, 2025. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)` Read all of our coverage of Maine's 2026 election or stay up to date with the latest developments through the Maine Political Report in your inbox or text messages from politics editor Kirby Wilson. Graham Platner on Wednesday ended his underdog bid for U.S. Senate amid an allegation that he sexually assaulted a Maine woman in 2021 — an allegation he denies. Since Platner will have withdrawn before 5 p.m. on July 13, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to choose a replacement candidate. It’s not clear how or when that will happen. In an 11-minute video posted to X , Platner struck a defiant tone, flatly denying the allegations made by Jenny Racicot and criticizing what he called the corporate media for its reporting. My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine. pic.twitter.com/RKVyLU76tm — Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) Ju…

Democrats search for new candidate after Platner announces he's suspending campaign Democrats are searching for a new path forward in Maine after Graham Platner announced he was suspending his campaign for U.S. Senate.

Search for Graham Platner's replacement underway after Senate campaign suspension <p>Graham Platner has suspended his U.S. Senate campaign in Maine following a sexual assault allegation, leaving Democrats scrambling to select a replacement candidate within three weeks.</p>

Who Might Replace Graham Platner? Here's Who's in the Mix - TIME The DC Brief Twice A Week Making sense of what matters most in Washington. A day after allegations of sexual assault upended his political career , Graham Platner remained Democrats’ nominee for Senate in Maine. But the jockeying to replace him on November’s ballot was well underway up north. It’s not just a race against time, but , in the eyes of some, against the Democratic Party’s left flank —who cheered on an unvetted first-time candidate for the party’s best Senate pick-up opportunity of the midterms, and are now trying to undo the damage. Platner, a Marine veteran and oysterman whose campaign has been pocked by a constant stream of revelations about his past, still has a say over the situation. He convincingly won the June primary and will be on the ballot come November unless before 5 p.m. Monday he formally consents to Maine Democrats replacing him. He and his progressive allies are holding firm that they will not allow his campaign’s implosion to be a way to backdoor a more moderate pick, such as Washington Democrats’ favored pick— Gov. Janet Mills . Around Washington, the assumption is that Platner’s exit i…

Succession fight already underway as calls mount for Graham Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race <p>PORTLAND, Maine &#8212; Democratic nominee Graham Platner hasn&#8217;t resigned from the Maine U.S. Senate race following an allegation of sexual assault. But the succession battle to take his place was already underway Tuesday.</p>

Has Graham Platner Dropped Out of Maine Senate Race and Is Dan Kleban ... Two of Graham Platner's senior political strategists have urged the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in Maine to withdraw from the race following a sexual assault allegation, according to a person familiar with internal campaign discussions. The source, who spoke to Maine Morning Star on condition of anonymity, said the advisers made a final appeal to Platner on Tuesday night and that the candidate had come to terms with stepping aside. As of Wednesday, however, Platner had not formally withdrawn from the contest. The former oyster farmer and military veteran has faced a series of controversies during his campaign, including scrutiny over past online comments, a tattoo with alleged Nazi-linked imagery that was later covered, and reports that he sent sexually explicit messages to other women while married. Breaking It Down What are the details of Lyndsey Fifield's allegations against Platner? What did Jenny Racicot accuse Graham Platner of? How have prominent Democrats responded to Platner's allegations? Created with AI. Pressure on Platner intensified after Politico reported on Monday that Jenny Racicot,…

What we know – and don’t – about how Maine Democrats will replace Graham Platner The party has until July 27 to replace Platner in the key battleground Senate race.

Graham Platner drops out of Senate race, allowing Maine Democrats … Add NBC News to Google Platner says he will suspend his Senate campaign in Maine 21:53 Get more news Live on Share Add NBC News to Google July 8, 2026, 8:20 PM EDT By Sahil Kapur Graham Platner announced Wednesday he’s ending his Senate campaign, capping a chaotic few days of uncertainty and Democratic infighting and leaving the party without a candidate in the vitally important Maine race this fall. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. The announcement by the populist progressive came after a woman he dated accused him of sexual assault in 2021 , causing his support to hemorrhage even among top Democratic allies, who rescinded their endorsements and called on him to drop out. In a video message on X , Platner denied the allegation as “false” but said it has “placed an immense amount of weight” on him, as he has until only Monday to decide whether to continue his candidacy. He said that if he continued, he’d lose his ability to raise money, access voter data or run a campaign. “What comes next needs to come from the people, needs to come from the peop…

Graham Platner Suspends Maine Senate Race: ‘It Can’t Be Me’ By Andrew Stanton , Gabe Whisnant , and Anna Commander 0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Graham Platner announced that he is suspending his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat to represent Maine, saying in a video post to X on Wednesday, “For the moment to continue, it can’t be me. For that reason, we are suspending campaign operations.” The embattled Democrat added that it is "incredibly difficult," while saying that “We’re not doing it because of the allegations, we’re doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power.” Platner also said he intends to file his paperwork to withdraw, and "the process needs to assure that what comes next is reflective of the Mainers who on June 9th turned out and showed that they are desperate for a different kind of politics." Read More on Politics View this post on X Platner previously signaled that a decision on whether to stay in Maine’s U.S. Senate race could come within days, as his campaign launched a 48-hour ef…

Platner's Exit Throws Maine Democrats Into Turmoil as Party Scrambles ... Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email SULLIVAN, Maine – The stunning collapse of Democratic nominee Graham Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign has plunged Maine Democrats into an unprecedented race against the clock, forcing party leaders to rapidly organize a nominating convention to select a new challenger to Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Platner suspended his campaign following high-profile sexual assault allegations, setting off a political firestorm that quickly unraveled what had been the Democratic Party’s effort to unseat Collins in one of the nation’s closely watched Senate races. The catalyst came when a former girlfriend publicly accused Platner of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident in 2021. Shortly afterward, a second woman came forward accusing him of sexual misconduct. In a video statement posted to social media, Platner denied the allegations. However, he acknowledged that the rapid loss of political support had made it impossible to continue fundraising or mounting a viable statewide campaign, prompting him to suspend campaign operations. My name might be on the ballot right no…

“Hobbled Out of the Gate”: Platner Allegations Set Off Scramble to Find a New Maine Senate Nominee <p>Amid Graham Platner’s swift downfall, most paths to selecting a replacement candidate look poisoned.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://theintercept.com/2026/07/08/graham-platner-maine-democrats-senate-replacement/">“Hobbled Out of the Gate”: Platner Allegations Set Off Scramble to Find a New Maine Senate Nominee</a> appeared first on <a href="https://theintercept.com">The Intercept</a>.</p>

Who could replace Graham Platner if he drops out of Maine Senate race ... Daily Kos Staff The writing is on the wall for Graham Platner, who afterbeing credibly accused of rapeby a former girlfriend and multiple other red flags is now facing calls to drop out of the Maine Senate race by Democrats on all sides of theideological spectrum. Platner has yet to announce whether he’ll drop out, but it is clearly untenable for him to continue as national Democrats arepulling the plug on fundinghis race and even his own base of supporters is abandoning ship. If Platner drops out by 5 PM on July 13, Democrats will be able to replace him on the ballot with a candidate of their choosing. And that puts the Maine Democratic Party in the unenviable position of choosing from a large list of possible contenders. Related |Graham Platner’s campaign is falling apart Here are the potential Platner replacements: Jackson just ran for governor in the Pine Tree State, coming in third in the primary. Like Platner, Jackson touts his working-class, populist bonafides, making him seem like an obvious choice to replace Platner. Jackson wants to be chosen,filing paperworkwith the Federal Election Commiss…

Policy and Politics Graham Platner drops his bid for Senate after facing an allegation of rape NPR | By Barbara Sprunt Published July 8, 2026 at 7:23 PM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email CJ Gunther / Getty Images An empty stage is seen at a Graham Platner campaign event on June 9, 2026 in Blue Hill, Maine. The scandal-ridden Senate campaign of Graham Platner in Maine has come to a screeching end, after a rape allegation caused nearly every one of his Democratic allies to withdraw their support. Platner made the announcement in a video posted to social media on Wednesday. "We believe that for the movement to continue, it can't be me. And for that reason, we are suspending campaign operations," he said. Democrats largely stood by Platner throughout repeated controversies — from the tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi symbol to deleted offensive Reddit posts to a report that he sent women sexually explicit messages while married. But the red line came in the form of a Politico article on Monday, which reported that Jenny Racicot, a woman who had previously had a relationship with Platner, alleges he entered her home in 2021, intoxicated and without her per…

Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner of the US state of Maine promises to formally withdraw from the race after a string ‌of controversies including an accusation of sexual assault plunged one of the most competitive races in the 2026 midterm elections into turmoil. The suspension by the former US Marine and oysterman, announced in a video on social media, is likely to complicate Democrats' ‌efforts in November elections to win control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. In the video, Platner repeated his denial of the sexual assault accusation and said the effort to remove him from the ballot was fuelled by his effectiveness in taking on the political establishment. "For the movement to continue, it can't be me, and for that reason we are suspending campaign operations," Platner said. "This is incredibly difficult, because I know that some will think it's an admission of guilt, and it most certainly is not." Platner has until July 13 to formally withdraw from the race, and the state ‌party would have until ‌July 27 to select another nominee to ⁠challenge senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican who has held the seat since 1997. Shortly before Pl…

Former Maine Sen. Troy Jackson says it would be 'self-serving' if Graham Platner runs NPR | By A Martínez , Suzanne Nuyen Published July 8, 2026 at 8:15 AM MDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 4:53 Graeme Sloan / Getty Images North America Former Maine candidate for Governor Troy Jackson speaks during a May Day rally organized by local unions, on May 1 outside City Hall in Portland, Maine. As Democratic leaders withdraw their support from Graham Platner, former Maine state Senate President Troy Jackson has filed to potentially replace the U.S. Senate hopeful if he drops out. Earlier this week, one of Platner's former girlfriends accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021. Platner has denied the allegations, calling them "troubling, serious and false" in a statement to NPR . The Maine Democratic Party, along with prominent politicians, including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, called on Platner to withdraw from the race. Jackson, a former state senator and former gubernatorial candidate, told Morning Edition he believes Platner will drop out. "Graham was talking about the movement, you know — building something that lasted past him," Jacks…

Graham Platner just dropped out. Here’s who could replace him. Several potential successors have already signaled their interest in seeking the Democratic nomination for Maine Senate.

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Gift this article New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democratic nominee Graham Platner hasn't resigned from the Maine U.S. Senate race following an allegation of sexual assault. But the succession battle to take his place was already underway Tuesday. The allegation reported Monday prompted a chorus of calls for Platner to depart the high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, which could decide party control of the Senate . Platner's long-time backer, Sen. Bernie Sanders, “recommended that he step aside.” Then, Tuesday evening, The Washington Post reported that an ex-girlfriend of Platner’s had accused him of removing condoms during sex without her consent. Platner, who has denied all the allegations, has been mum on whether he'll step aside. And the Maine Democratic Party, charged with crea…

Now 82° Wed 78° Thu 80° byAUSTIN DENEAN | The National News Desk (TNND) —A sexual assault accusation against Maine U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner has upended a must-win Senate race for both parties, raising questions about who will appear on the ballot in November and how it will affect the outcome. Hours after the allegations surfaced, a wave of Democratic leaders, lawmakers and campaign committees in Maine and Washington rushed to call on Platner to withdraw as the nominee. The Democrats’ main campaign arm, super PAC and the Democratic National Committee also said they would not spend any resources on the seat if Platner was the nominee. The fallout is increasingpressure on Platner to drop outas the party decides how to move forward in what is sure to be a grueling fight for a vital Senate seat that may determine the party’s chances of winning a majority in November. Platner’s candidacy hit a dead end with Democrats at a national and local level after a woman told Politico he entered her home uninvited five years ago and forced himself on her despite repeated pleas to stop. He has denied the allegations but appeared to acknowledge he was considering leaving the rac…

Who Could Replace Graham Platner in Maine Race? Nine Possible ... By Andrew Stanton and Khaleda Rahman 0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Democratic candidate Graham Platner has not ruled out withdrawing from the Maine Senate race after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021, a claim he denied to Newsweek . The new allegation was reported by Politico, which interviewed Maine resident Jenny Racicot. Racicot alleged that Platner entered her home while intoxicated in late 2021 and forced her to have sex despite her repeated objections. She told the outlet that she had previously been involved in an on-and-off relationship with Platner and that the encounter was not consensual. Platner rejected the allegation in an email to Newsweek on Tuesday, saying: "These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue." Read More on News But in a video posted on X, he acknowledged the “political reality” of the situation as Democrats hope to flip Maine’s Senate race and said he woul…

Maine lawmaker says Platner urged her to run for Senate if he exits maine State Rep. Valli Geiger revealed that Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner privately encouraged her to run in his place amid ongoing controversy surrounding his campaign. Platner has not officially endorsed anyone and has only expressed gratitude to Geiger for her support. He is considering stepping aside due to allegations of inappropriate behavior, including accusations from women and a recent rape claim by an ex-girlfriend, which threaten his campaign to challenge Senator Susan collins. Meanwhile, Troy Jackson has also expressed interest in replacing Platner if he withdraws and showed stronger polling results for such a move. The Maine Democratic party has urged Platner to step down and is working on a process to select a new nominee, as he has refused to formally exit the race. The controversy comes amidst wider discussions about the candidate’s past posts, allegations, and declining support, complicating one of the nation’s closely watched Senate races. Read more… Maine state Rep. Valli Geiger on Wednesday said Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner privately nudged her to seek to replace him if…

Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate bid, clearing way for Democrats to pick new nominee <p>Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner said in a video statement Wednesday that he was suspending his campaign.</p>

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Graham Platner in the Senate race <p>Maine Democrats now have less than three weeks to find a new candidate in one of their party’s most important midterm contests.</p>

Troy Jackson Files to Explore Senate Bid as Graham Platner Faces ... Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox. Troy Jackson speaks during a May Day rally organized by local unions on May 1, 2026 outside City Hall in Portland, Maine. "If Graham’s stepping away, I am very, very interested and think I’m the best person to replace him," said Jackson, the former Maine Senate president. FormerMaineSenate President Troy Jackson filed federal paperwork on Tuesday to explore aUS Senatebid after asexual assault allegationagainst current Democratic nominee Graham Platner prompted a torrent of calls for him to drop out of the race. Jackson, a fifth-generation logger who lost Maine's Democratic gubernatorial primary last month, was among those urging Platner to end his Senate campaign following Politico'sreportinglate Monday,writingonsocial mediathat "there is no place in our politics for sexual violence." In an interview with the Bangor Daily News, whichfirst reportedthe news of Jackson's filing, the former gubernatorial candidatesaidthat "if Graham’s stepping away, I am very, very interested and think I’m the best perso…

Platner’s campaign trying to navigate exit from consequential Maine ... Graham Platner speaks during a "Fighting Oligarchy" event in Portland, Maine, on May 25, 2026. Sophie Park/Bloomberg/Getty Images Senate election US elections Congressional news See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Portland, Maine — Graham Platner and a small team of strategists behind his candidacy are trying to navigate an exit from the consequential Senate race in Maine without entirely squandering the movement he built, people familiar with the matter said, rather than digging in or trying to find a path forward for his candidacy. “We’ve said from the very beginning that this campaign was never about Graham but about a movement of working people united to take back power,” Ben Chin, the campaign manager for Platner, said in a message to supporters on Wednesday. Platner is expected to announce his decision through a recorded video, which could come later Wednesday. As of this morning, the message had not been taped, the people familiar said. He did not speak during an early-afternoon conference call with campaign staff, but aides told people on the line that they would likely…

FILE – Voter cast their Maine primary ballots at the Civic Center, June 9, 2026, in Augusta, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) By Associated Press PUBLISHED: July 9, 2026 at 9:48 AM MDT | UPDATED: July 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM MDT Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By PATRICK WHITTLE and KIMBERLEE KRUESI PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democrats in Maine began jockeying Thursday to become the new candidate for a pivotal U.S. Senate seat after progressive nominee Graham Platner announced he will withdraw from the race after a sexual assault allegation. Democrats need to pick a candidate to replace Platner on the ballot by July 27, according to state law. Whoever is selected will have less than four months before facing longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election. Potential candidates had already been teasing their interest before Platner, who denies the allegation, announced he intends to drop out. But a growing number began formally launching their campaigns Thursday. The Maine Democratic Party has said it will hold a nominating convention to choose the replacement. The party says the convention will involve hundreds of delegates from across the state, but how a…

US Senate candidate from Maine Graham Platner speaks during a campaign event in Portland, Maine, on May 17, 2026. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Congressional news Senate election US elections See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Maine Democrats are rushing to come up with a plan to quickly replace Graham Platner, their embattled Senate nominee, if he ends his campaign in the wake of a rape allegation that has left him hemorrhaging support from longtime allies. Platner has denied the allegation, made by a woman he previously dated, and has not said whether he plans to leave the race. After CNN and Politico reported the assault allegation Monday, Platner said he would “reflect on the best path forward” for his Senate bid. But amid mounting calls for him to quit, including from notable progressive backers such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, several Maine Democrats have said they are weighing running if he exits the race. A source familiar with the matter said the Maine Democratic Party, which called for Platner to drop out, is working through what a potential nominee replacement process would look like. The next few weeks will be critical for Democrats as they try t…

Morning Update: What you need to know in Maine today A version of this story first appeared in the Morning Update newsletter. Sign up here to receive the Morning Update and other BDN newsletters directly in your inbox. Good morning. Patchy fog and cloudy skies will eventually make way for sunshine and heat, with just a light wind to balance it out. Meanwhile, we’re continuing to cover the fallout from Monday’s rape allegation against Graham Platner, which has upended this year’s U.S. Senate race. Maine Democrats accuse Graham Platner of trying to influence the race to replace him Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks on June 9, 2026, during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination in Blue Hill. Credit: Robert F. Bukaty / AP The scramble to replace Graham Platner continues with even the oyster farmer’s campaign trying to get in on the action. The progressive political newcomer from Sullivan is still the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, but the calls for him to step down continue in the wake of an allegation from a former girlfriend that Platner raped her in 2021. On Tuesday night, Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devo…

Maine progressives race to find candidate to replace Graham Platner <p>Platner’s former backers are seeking ‘real progressive’ to prevent nomination going to establishment Democrat</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/jul/09/donald-trump-graham-platner-mitch-mcconnell-iran-midterms-latest-news-updates">US politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Progressive groups and lawmakers who rallied behind Graham Platner’s insurgent bid for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-senate">US Senate</a> seat are now racing to decide where to transfer their support after his withdrawal from the Maine race following yet another allegation of sexual assault.</p><p>The scramble and apparent heartbreak underscores the uncertainty facing the coalition surrounding Platner’s anti-establishment message, and the response from more centrist <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/democrats">Democrats</a> to proceed with caution. Organizations, voters, volunteers and elected officials that once saw him as a vehicle for a more populist progressive agenda are now weighing whether to unite behind a successor, or hold back until the party’s replacement…

Graham Platner ends Senate bid. And, why Nolan Wells' death captured ... NPR News Graham Platner ends Senate bid. And, why Nolan Wells' death captured national attention NPR | By Brittney Melton Published July 9, 2026 at 5:22 AM MDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 12:17 Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories Democrat Graham Platner announced last night that he has ended his U.S. Senate campaign in Maine. The politician faced pressure from party leaders to end his bid after one of his former girlfriends accused him of rape. He denies this allegation. In a video, Platner said his decision to drop out was not an admission of guilt and instead blamed a "political system not built for normal people." Now the race is on for Democrats to find a new candidate to replace Platner before the state's July 27 deadline to name someone new. CJ Gunther / Getty Images / Getty Images An empty stage is seen at a Graham Platner campaign event on June 9, 2026 in Blue Hill, Maine. 🎧 Many Democrats see this race…

PORTLAND, Maine — Democrats in Maine began jockeying Thursday to become the new candidate for a pivotal U.S. Senate seat after progressive nominee Graham Platner announced he will withdraw from the race after a sexual assault allegation. Democrats need to pick a candidate to replace Platner on the ballot by July 27, according to state law. Whoever is selected will have less than four months before facing longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election. Potential candidates had already been teasing their interest before Platner, who denies the allegation, announced he intends to drop out. But a growing number began formally launching their campaigns Thursday. The Maine Democratic Party has said it will hold a nominating convention to choose the replacement. The party says the convention will involve hundreds of delegates from across the state, but how and when that’ll take place remains unknown. Maine is considered a key state for control of the narrowly divided Senate, and Democrats are desperate for a candidate capable of defeating Collins while President Donald Trump is broadly unpopular. These are some of the people who have shown interest in the Maine Senate race…

Fmr Maine Senate President Troy Jackson files FEC paperwork to form ... (Background) Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks on June 9, 2026 in Blue Hill, Maine. (Photo by CJ Gunther/Getty Images) / (L) Maine Senate President Troy Jackson on Oct. 9, 2023. (Photo via:Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star) OAN Staff Brooke Mallory 2:30 PM – Tuesday, July 7, 2026 Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson officially filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Tuesday to form an exploratory committee, positioning himself as the first major Democrat figure to launch a bid to replace embattled U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner. The filing, which establishes the Troy Jackson Senate Exploratory Committee as a “testing the waters” entity, legally permits Jackson to begin fundraising and gauging statewide viability. Meanwhile, the sudden political maneuver follows a bombshell report from POLITICO detailing allegations from Jenny Racicot, 41, a woman who previously dated Platner. Racicot told the press this week that the Democrat Senate nominee previously broke into her home and raped her while severely intoxicated in 2021. The explosive allegation triggered an imm…

Now 97° Wed 99° Thu 102° byAUSTIN DENEAN | The National News Desk (TNND) —A sexual assault accusation against Maine U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner has upended a must-win Senate race for both parties, raising questions about who will appear on the ballot in November and how it will affect the outcome. Hours after the allegations surfaced, a wave of Democratic leaders, lawmakers and campaign committees in Maine and Washington rushed to call on Platner to withdraw as the nominee. The Democrats’ main campaign arm, super PAC and the Democratic National Committee also said they would not spend any resources on the seat if Platner was the nominee. The fallout is increasingpressure on Platner to drop outas the party decides how to move forward in what is sure to be a grueling fight for a vital Senate seat that may determine the party’s chances of winning a majority in November. Platner’s candidacy hit a dead end with Democrats at a national and local level after a woman told Politico he entered her home uninvited five years ago and forced himself on her despite repeated pleas to stop. He has denied the allegations but appeared to acknowledge he was considering leaving the ra…