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 to rescue their effort to win the seat and flip control of the Senate. Maine is the only state former Vice President Kamala Harris won in her 2024 presidential campaign that now has a Republican senator up for reelection. But incumbent Sen. Susan Collins has shown an ability to defy the political odds, and has previously defeated several Democrats who weren’t weighed down by controversies.
