Platner’s campaign trying to navigate exit from consequential Maine race, sources say | CNN Politics

Portland, Maine —

Graham Platner and a small team of strategists behind his candidacy are trying to navigate an exit from the consequential Senate race in Maine without entirely squandering the movement he built, people familiar with the matter said, rather than digging in or trying to find a path forward for his candidacy.

Platner is expected to announce his decision through a recorded video, which could come later Wednesday. As of this morning, the message had not been taped, the people familiar said.

Support for Maine’s Democratic nominee in the Senate race collapsed this week after a woman he previously dated alleged that he raped her in 2021, which he has denied.

After CNN and Politico reported the allegation, which Platner called “troubling, serious and false,” the nominee said he would “reflect on the best path forward” for his Senate bid.