Graham Platner drops out of Senate race, allowing Maine Democrats to replace him
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Graham Platner has suspended his Senate campaign in Maine following a sexual assault allegation from a woman he dated in 2021, leading to loss of support from key Democratic allies and endorsements.
- Platner denied the allegation but cited the loss of campaign resources and the need for a transparent, democratic process as reasons for ending his run, emphasizing the movement must continue without him.
- The Maine Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention by a July 27 deadline to select a replacement candidate to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is seeking her sixth term.
- National Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and prominent progressives like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, urged Platner to drop out after the allegation surfaced, warning that the party would not invest in the race if he remained.
- Platner had won the Democratic primary with a populist progressive platform but faced multiple controversies during the campaign, and Democrats now face a challenging timeline to find a viable candidate to compete in a crucial Senate race.
