Platner formally withdraws from race with letter

Graham Platner formally withdrew from the U.S. Senate race Friday, clearing the way for Democrats to choose a new nominee to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins this fall.

Platner had previously been expected to wait until Monday to formally withdraw — the last possible day to do so. Even so, the move was widely expected after Platner was accused of sexual assault in 2021 by a Maine woman, who detailed her experience in a story published by Politico on Monday.

Hannah Pingree says she’s staying neutral in pop-up primary for U.S. Senate

Hannah Pingree, the Democratic nominee for Maine governor, says she’s staying neutral in the chaotic scramble to choose a replacement candidate for Graham Platner in the U.S. Senate race.

In a social media video posted to Instagram and X on Friday, Pingree encouraged Democrats to get involved in the selection process to choose a new candidate to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in the fall.

With the deadline for Democrats to select a replacement nominee by July 27 getting closer every day, details of the selection process are starting to take shape.

The party announced earlier this week that more than 100 state committee members had voted to hold a nominating convention that will reportedly be open to some 600 delegates.

Nirav Shah to begin town hall events in Freeport, Bangor this weekend

Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, will begin holding town hall events this weekend, his U.S. Senate campaign announced Friday.

Shah is holding two “Defeat Susan Collins” town halls this weekend. The first begins Saturday at 3 p.m. (doors open at 2:30 p.m.) at 2 Stonewood Drive in Freeport. And the second begins Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Bangor Mall Cinemas 10 at 557 Stillwater Ave. in Bangor.

Platner controversy sparks party debate over candidate recruitment

The collapse of Graham Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign has sparked broader debate within the Democratic Party over candidate recruitment and electability, with strategists questioning whether the party placed too much emphasis on finding a candidate who projected a traditionally masculine image.

Democratic strategists interviewed by The 19th said the episode underscores what they see as a double standard that gives white male candidates more latitude than women and candidates of color. They argued the party should focus less on candidates’ image and more on authenticity and values, while warning that Platner’s replacement will need to rebuild trust with voters, particularly women.

Shah reiterates calls for televised debates among Senate candidates

Nirav Shah, the runner-up in the Democratic primary for governor, on Friday reiterated his call for a series of televised debates among the candidates seeking Maine’s U.S. Senate nomination.

He has called for at least two debates that would be broadcast statewide and include questions from Maine journalists.

Illinois senator opposes Shah bid for Senate, citing handling of Legionnaires’ outbreak

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., is opposing Nirav Shah’s Senate run, citing his handling of a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in her state in 2015.

“Maine deserves better than someone who put his public image before the safety of our veterans,” Duckworth wrote late Thursday night on X. “Too many of our heroes lost their lives under Nirav Shah’s watch as Illinois Public Health Director.”

Shah was director of the Illinois Department of Public Health when a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a veterans’ home resulted in a dozen deaths. His administration came under scrutiny for its response, and both Duckworth and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called for Shah’s resignation at the time.

The outbreak came up numerous times during Shah’s recent run for Maine governor. He has defended his response while conceding that his department could have communicated better about it with the public.

“I have been tested, and as a result of having been tested, I am a better leader for it,” Shah said in response to questions about the outbreak last month.

Maine Democratic Party announces process for candidates to seek Senate nomination

Democratic candidates seeking to replace Graham Platner as the party’s U.S. Senate nominee must submit a written declaration of their intent to run, including a summary of their vision for their campaign, to the chair of the party by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.

They will also need to gather nominating signatures from voters who were registered as Democrats as of the June 9 primary and turn them in to the party by the following week.

Oxford County Democrats walk back plans for caucus

Oxford County Democrats retracted a Thursday news release that contained plans for a July 19 caucus, saying it “was prematurely released.”

Democratic county committees are expected to hold caucuses to appoint delegates to a 600-person convention that will ultimately decide who replaces Graham Platner in the race for U.S. Senate.

Platner adviser says he’s ‘deeply disappointed’

Morris Katz, a political strategist who worked as an adviser to Graham Platner, said campaign staff suggested Platner step down “as soon as the team became aware of the rape allegations” in a social media post Thursday evening.

“Like so many of his supporters, I’m deeply disappointed,” he wrote on X.

In a reply to the post, someone asked if Platner will indeed file paperwork to withdraw by the deadline of Monday at 5 p.m., to which Katz simply responded: “Yes.”

Shah opens Senate campaign by arguing he is best suited to beat Collins

FREEPORT — Nirav Shah, the former public health official and defeated Democratic gubernatorial candidate, opened his new Senate campaign by casting himself as the best person to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the wake of Graham Platner’s exit from the race.

Read the full story here.

Replacement candidates distancing themselves from Platner

In the aftermath of Graham Platner’s dramatic withdrawal from Maine’s U.S. Senate race, the candidates hoping to replace him have each made the same political calculation: To win, Platner’s baggage can’t become their own.

Read the full story here.

Why is Platner waiting until Monday to drop out?

Graham Platner said he intends to file paperwork to officially remove his name from the Senate ballot Monday — the last possible day to do so.

It’s not clear why he’s waiting. Here’s what we do know.

David Costello officially seeking Senate nomination

Brunswick Democrat David Costello is taking another crack at seeking the U.S. Senate nomination.

David Costello, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, on Main Street in Saco on Oct. 3, 2024. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer)

Costello, 66, said Thursday afternoon he will join the growing field of Democrats seeking to replace Graham Platner for the chance to unseat U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in November.

Oxford County Democrats announce caucus

Oxford County Democrats will convene July 19 to elect delegates to the state’s nominating convention, which will decide Graham Platner’s replacement to take on Sen. Susan Collins this November.

Oxford County’s caucus will be held at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris on July 19 from 1 to 4 p.m., the county party said in a news release Thursday, adding that all county Democrats are encouraged to attend and make their voices heard.

Democrats’ process to replace Platner taking shape

A rough process is being outlined for Maine Democrats to replace Graham Platner on the ballot for U.S. Senate.

Sagadahoc Democratic Committee Chair Richard Kessler said in a written statement Thursday that county committees are to meet and appoint delegates to a convention that is to be held on or about July 25.

Who’s running to replace Platner — and who isn’t

A logger, a brewer and a public health chief are among the growing list of candidates entering an uncertain and unprecedented nomination process for the Democratic Party nod to take on Sen. Susan Collins.

Meet all the candidates who have joined the race — and those who have said “no thanks” — here.

Platner tells staff he’ll officially drop out Monday

Graham Platner told his staff he intends to file paperwork to officially remove his name from the ballot Monday, which is the deadline to do so.

Platner shared his plan on a call with staff Wednesday evening, shortly before the publication of his 11-minute-long recorded video announcing his decision to drop out of the Senate race.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announces Senate run

Shenna Bellows is the latest Democrat to enter the Senate race.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows talks to reporters Feb. 26 at the Maine State House in Augusta. Bellows announced Thursday that she is running to replace Graham Platner as Maine’s Democratic Senate nominee. (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)<?xml version="1.0"?> Purchase this image

Bellows, 51, has served as Maine’s top elections official since 2020 and finished fourth in the five-way Democratic primary for governor last month. Graham Platner said he ranked Bellows second on his ranked-choice ballot, behind Troy Jackson.

Platner has yet to formally withdraw from the Senate race

While Graham Platner said Wednesday night that he intends to file the paperwork to formally withdraw from the Senate race, he had yet to do so as of Thursday afternoon.

Jana Spaulding, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of the Secretary of State, confirmed early Thursday afternoon that the department had not yet received a withdrawal notice from Platner.

Maine, national Republicans batter Dems over Platner support before latest scandal

Maine and national Republican Party officials are taking aim at the Democrats hoping to replace Graham Platner over their support for the increasingly embattled candidate before he announced his plans to dropped out of the race.

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah and fourth-place 2nd Congressional District candidate Paige Loud all supported Platner during his campaign — and now are all in the race to replace him. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows also endorsed Platner but has yet to formally enter the sweepstakes, though she’s expressed interest.

Jackson announces endorsements from lawmakers, local officials

Troy Jackson looked to build immediate momentum for his nascent Senate campaign Thursday with the announcement of more than 50 endorsements from lawmakers and local officials.

Those endorsing Jackson include Portland City Councilors Anna Bullett, April Fournier and Wes Pelletier; Westbrook Mayor David Morse; and Maulian Bryant, former Penobscot Nation tribal ambassador.

Jordan Wood joins the Senate race

Jordan Wood, a former congressional staffer, said Thursday that he will pursue the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, becoming the latest in a growing number of candidates now looking to replace Graham Platner.

Jordan Wood, left, talks with Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles outside a polling place in Auburn on June 9. Wood, who finished third in the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District seat being vacated by Jared Golden, announced Thursday that he is running to replace Graham Platner as Maine Democrats’ Senate nominee. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)<?xml version="1.0"?> Purchase this image

Wood, a 36-year-old progressive from Auburn, pledged to run a grassroots campaign, vowing to refuse funding for corporation political action committees, the pro-Israel group AIPAC and lobbyists.

Shah to hold press conference announcing his campaign in Freeport

Nirav Shah will kick off his Senate campaign with a news conference in Freeport at 2 p.m. He’s set to launch what he’s calling the “Defeat Susan Collins Town Hall Tour.”

The former public health officials was a formidable contender in the Maine governor’s race, and will likely be one of the front-runners in the quickie primary to replace Graham Platner.

What Platner said — and didn’t say — in his goodbye video

In his 11-minute video goodbye to the U.S. Senate race, Graham Platner struck a typically defiant tone.

The Democratic strategist David Axelrod remarked on social media that Platner’s video resembled the tactics of President Donald Trump: “Deny. Deflect. Refuse responsibility. Play the martyr; slime your accusers.”

Nirav Shah announces Senate bid

Former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Nirav Shah is running for Senate.

Shah announced in an early morning news release that he will seek to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.

Democratic funders insist Susan Collins is still ‘vulnerable’

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senate Majority PAC say Sen. Susan Collins is still “vulnerable” after Graham Platner announced he is withdrawing from the race.

“Susan Collins is more vulnerable than she has ever been after voting with Trump 96% of the time, being the decisive vote for the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, and selling out to the special interests that fund her campaigns after three decades in the Senate.” Devan Barber, DSCC executive director, said in a statement Wednesday night.

David Axelrod blasts Platner’s ‘closing act’

Political consultant and strategist David Axelrod criticized Platner’s lengthy video statement on Wednesday in which he announced the suspension of his Senate campaign.

Platner “chose as his closing act” to take a page out of Donald Trump’s “tawdry playbook,” Axelrod said in a social media post.

Maine Beer Co. co-founder Dan Kleban doesn’t want Platner’s endorsement

Maine Beer Co. co-founder Dan Kleban, one of the Democrats seeking to replace Platner as the party’s Senate nominee, told CNN Wednesday night he doesn’t want Platner’s endorsement.

“I would not accept Graham Platner’s endorsement, but I would reiterate that I do agree with a lot of his policy positions,” Kleban said in an interview with the network’s Kaitlan Collins. “And I intend to continue to amplify a lot of the things he was saying on the trail when it comes to the system being rigged against working-class folks.”

Our Revolution reinforces support for Troy Jackson

Our Revolution, which recently rescinded its endorsement of Graham Platner, has officially endorsed Troy Jackson to become Maine’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.

The progressive political action committee, which grew as a continuation of Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, initially threw its support behind Jackson shortly after the former Maine Senate president and gubernatorial candidate filed to explore a Senate run earlier this week.

Troy Jackson: ‘I’m in. And we’re going to defeat Susan Collins.’

Former Maine Senate president and gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson wasted little time in announcing his intentions to take up the progressive torch Platner ignited.

“There is a powerful movement of working class people in the state of Maine, and millions more across America who are ready to send a progressive fighter to the Senate,” Jackson stated in a social media post. “I’ve been fighting for that movement my whole life — and I’m sure as hell not backing down now, when this fight is needed most.”

Republicans react to Platner dropping out

Republicans were swift and highly critical in their reaction to Graham Platner dropping out of the U.S. Senate race on Wednesday night.

Joe Gruters, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said that “the left is so deeply deranged and power hungry” that it was willing to support Platner despite numerous allegations and scandals since his campaign launched.

Platner suspends his campaign

Graham Platner on Wednesday ended his underdog bid for U.S. Senate amid an allegation that he sexually assaulted a Maine woman in 2021.

In an 11-minute video posted on social media, the embattled Democratic nominee railed against the media and political establishment.

Maine Democrats will announce nominating convention details at later time

The Democratic Party announced Wednesday night that over 100 state committee members have voted to hold a nominating convention to choose a new Senate nominee if there is a vacancy to fill.

The full timeline, details for how the nomination process will move forward, information about how to participate and requirements for candidates will be announced “soon,” the party said in a written statement.

Woman who briefly dated Platner says she believes allegations

A woman who dated Graham Platner 10 years ago says she believes the sexual assault and abuse accusations against the U.S. Senate candidate — though she said he “was never once cruel” to her.

Emily Suttle-Braun wrote in an opinion column published by Newsweek on Wednesday that Platner was “warm and funny” and “respectful” during their “casual and short-lived” relationship. Suttle-Braun, CEO of Doodle Mom Strategies and a Democratic strategist, said she was “genuinely thrilled” when Platner launched his campaign and supported him until the recent allegations.

Maine Democrats plan 600-person convention to replace Platner

The discussions about a replacement come amid fighting between Platner and the Maine Democratic Party. Platner’s campaign has alleged the party is planning to exclude his supporters from the replacement process. The party has denied that, but it has said Platner’s team will play no role in selecting a new candidate.

Nirav Shah has had preliminary fundraising calls with donors

Nirav Shah, the runner-up in the Democratic primary for governor, said Wednesday that preliminary calls he’s had about fundraising for a U.S. Senate run have been met with high enthusiasm.

“I am optimistic and enthusiastic about my ability to fundraise and be able to unseat Sen. (Susan) Collins here,” Shah said in an interview.

Former Platner organizing director quits similar role for Maine Democrats over party’s refusal to work with campaign

An organizing director for the Maine Democrats resigned Wednesday over the party’s refusal to allow Graham Platner and his team to help choose a replacement if the candidate drops out of the U.S. Senate race.

Spencer Toth, formerly the organizing director for the Platner campaign, resigned in a letter to Devon Murphy-Anderson, who said in a video Tuesday night that the Platner campaign would “have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, nor in determining what this process looks like.”

Patrick Dempsey: I’m not running

Patrick Dempsey, the Maine actor and activist best known for his role on “Grey’s Anatomy,” has ruled himself out as a potential replacement for Graham Platner.

Patrick Dempsey welcomes the crowd at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston at the start of the 16th annual Dempsey Challenge in September 2024. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)<?xml version="1.0"?> Purchase this image

In an op-ed for the Press Herald, Dempsey says he has been asked about a Senate run multiple times in recent days but feels he can contribute better to society in other ways.

Platner may address his future tonight

Graham Platner could address his future in the race as soon as Wednesday night, the Washington Post and Politico reported. Platner’s campaign would not confirm it.

Platner is reportedly huddling with campaign staff Wednesday. And the Maine Democratic State Committee is holding an emergency meeting at 4:30 p.m.

Platner ally Valli Geiger says he suggested her as potential replacement

State Rep. Valli Geiger, a Rockland Democrat and Graham Platner ally, said Platner called her Monday night to say he floated her as a potential replacement for him on the Senate ballot.

Platner acknowledged that he hadn’t asked Geiger beforehand about putting her name forward, but he emphasized to her that “you’ve been with me and with this movement from the beginning” and are “a fighter who can hold your own,” Geiger told the Press Herald on Wednesday.

Democratic Party criticizes Platner for trying to ‘manipulate this process’

The executive director of the Maine Democratic Party released a statement Wednesday afternoon criticizing Platner for trying to “manipulate this process” as the party plans for his likely decision to drop out of the Senate race.

Devon Murphy-Anderson said the party is focused on trying to develop a transparent and inclusive process to select a new Senate nominee if Platner exits.

Maine Beer Co. co-founder Dan Kleban says he’s interested in replacing Platner as Democratic nominee 

Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban confirmed Wednesday he ‘s interested in being named as a replacement if Graham Platner drops out as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.

Kleban, 49, who began the Freeport-based brewery with his brother in 2009, had launched a Senate campaign last September but then ended his campaign in October to instead endorse Gov. Janet Mills at the start of her ultimately unsuccessful primary bid.

Maine Democrats to hold emergency meeting Wednesday

The Maine Democratic Party is holding an emergency statewide meeting Wednesday afternoon as party leaders and Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, are at loggerheads over his future in the race.

A copy of the notice calling for an emergency meeting of the Democratic State Committee at 4:30 p.m. was obtained by the Press Herald.

Platner campaign says Maine Democrats working with D.C. establishment on replacement process

Graham Platner’s beleaguered U.S. Senate campaign accused state Democrats of working with national party staffers to find a replacement candidate – a move it says will hinder the party’s ability to harness its volunteer network.

In a mass text message, campaign manager Ben Chin said the Maine Democratic Party “allowed the DC-based Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to send staffers to plan a potential nominating process behind closed doors.”

National anti-misogyny organization offers to help Platner staffers get new jobs

The anti-misogyny political nonprofit that helped Jenny Racicot, the woman who accused Graham Platner of sexually assaulting her, secure legal representation and share her story with media outlets, is now offering to help campaign staffers find new positions elsewhere.

Cheyenne Hunt, the executive director of Reckoning Action, said in a video posted Tuesday on X that her organization would offer job search help to staffers who want to “resign in solidarity with survivors but are worried about financial repercussions.” She said staffers should send an email to [email protected] with their resume, and Reckoning Action would connect them with new opportunities.

A month later, it feels like primary season again for Maine Democrats

Graham Platner often spoke on the campaign trail about engaging in “a politics of power”: Unswerving advocates of the working class had to seize control of American government from the political establishment, Republicans and Democrats alike.

Now, Platner is trying to squeeze out likely his last drops of that power. As of Wednesday afternoon, he had hung onto his Democratic Senate nomination for close to two days since a rape allegation vaporized all his support from elected Democrats.

Historian Heather Cox Richardson replacing Platner ‘not an option’

Heather Cox Richardson, the Midcoast-based historian and daily newsletter writer, told followers Tuesday evening that she was not interested in replacing Graham Platner for the Maine Democratic Senate nomination.

Richardson — the Boston College professor who has more than double Platner’s followers each on X, Facebook and Instagram — said in a YouTube livestream that she had received substantial interest from readers of her Letters from an American newsletter to run, but that she “can’t bring an A game to a Senate race.”

Former Democratic state lawmaker Emily Cain says she is not running for Senate

Former Democratic state lawmaker Emily Cain said Wednesday she is not running for Senate if Graham Platner drops out.

Cain served in the Legislature from 2004 to 2014 and was formerly the executive director of Emily’s List, a group dedicated to electing Democratic women who support abortion rights.

Democratic officials working ‘behind the scenes’ to determine nomination process

Maine Democratic Party leaders are scrambling to figure out how to replace Platner should he drop out of the Senate race.

Under Maine election law, Platner has until 5 p.m. Monday to withdraw his candidacy. If he does so, Democrats will have until July 27 to name a replacement. But what that process would look like is anyone’s guess. Maine Democrats have never had to replace a statewide candidate this late in an election cycle.

‘Sick to my stomach:’ Supporters reeling after Platner rape allegations

The most recent batch of allegations against Platner has prompted a reckoning within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party as supporters try to square their support for the man and his ideas with the acts and behaviors he stands accused of, just a month after what initially seemed like an unlikely primary victory for the Sullivan progressive.

“Everything to me feels like it’s upside down right now,” said 40-year-old Becky Johnson, a South Portland voter who had supported Platner since his campaign launched.

Anti-Platner PAC to spend millions attacking replacement

Pine Tree Results PAC, the pro-Sen. Susan Collins group responsible for nearly a dozen attack ads against Graham Platner, plans to redirect the $8 million it has on hand to attack Platner’s replacement, Axios reported.

The group had previously pulled its planned broadcast reservations over the next week after POLITICO reported Monday that one of Platner’s ex-girlfriends accused him of sexual assault. AdImpact said the PAC has removed $1.5 million in advertising so far through July 15.

Column: Movement should outlive Platner

While Platner’s supporters wait for the Democratic Senate nominee to end his campaign, the idealism that propelled him into public life should survive, our political columnist Steve Collins writes.

What’s important now, says Collins, is that those who looked up to him, who shared his dreams and hoped for his success, take the time to absorb the lesson of his candidacy. For voters, this sorry saga says: Be more wary. Ask more questions. Listen a whole lot harder to anyone who raises doubts, especially if they might have information the rest of us don’t yet.

Platner has contacted state party to discuss process if he drops out

Graham Platner’s campaign has been in contact with the Maine Democratic Party to discuss the process for if he drops out of the race this week.

Party leaders issued a scathing statement Tuesday night that criticized Platner for trying to influence the process for choosing a new nominee.

Jared Golden says he’s not interested as a Platner replacement

Maine’s 2nd District Congressman Jared Golden made clear in a brief statement Tuesday night that he has no interest in being a replacement if Graham Platner drops out of the U.S. Senate race.

“If Congressman Golden wanted the nomination, he would have put his name forward many months ago,” said his communications director, Mario Moretto.