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Graham Platner’s Exit Sets Off Scramble for New Democratic Senate Candidate in Maine
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Graham Platner has suspended his Senate run in Maine amid a rape allegation he denies, prompting Democrats to urgently seek a replacement nominee.
- Dr. Nirav Shah and Shenna Bellows, both recent gubernatorial candidates, have officially entered the crowded race to become the new Democratic Senate nominee.
- Platner won the Democratic primary in early June with over 150,000 votes but must formally withdraw by July 13 to be removed from the ballot; he plans to file the paperwork on Monday.
- The Maine Democratic Party plans to select a new candidate via a nominating convention before the July 27 deadline, potentially involving around 500 party members and officials, though the exact process is still being finalized.
- Replacing a Senate nominee is rare, and historically, replacement candidates face significant challenges in winning the general election.
