Oyster farmer Graham Platner announced he is suspending his Maine Senate campaign on Wednesday night amid mounting sexual misconduct allegations, leaving Democrats currently without a nominee to challenge Sen.
Susan Collins (R-Maine) this fall.
Platner Denies Claims, Cites Movement Over Self "We're suspending campaign operations," Platner told supporters in an emotional video posted on X.
"I intend to file my paperwork to withdraw." He denied the allegations as "all false," adding, "This is incredibly difficult, because I know that some will think it's an admission of guilt, and it most certainly is not." Platner said the movement "can't be me" going forward and urged Democrats to keep the nominating process "open, transparent, and democratic." My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine. pic.twitter.com/RKVyLU76tm— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) July 9, 2026 Scandals Trace Back to Primary Season Platner easily won the Jun. 9 Democratic primary despite a growing list of controversies, including a sexting scandal, deleted social media posts downplaying sexual assault and reports of problematic behavior with former partners.
