Maine Democrats scramble to field a new Senate contender as Platner exits

Democrats in Maine are rushing to replace Graham Platner after he suspended his Senate bid amid misconduct allegations, with a July deadline to withdraw and a July 27 date to name a replacement. The party has outlined a tough qualification process (a 300-word campaign plan and at least 500 voter signatures from across eight counties) and several contenders—Nirav Shah, Troy Jackson, Jordan Wood, Shenna Bellows, and Dan Kleban—are considering runs, along with potential interest from Janet Mills or others. The goal is to unite behind a candidate to challenge Republican Susan Collins, but Platner’s exit also underscores rifts between the party’s left and moderates as Democrats navigate a must-win race.