Graham Platner dropped out of Maine's Senate race Wednesday, leaving Democrats less than four months to find a candidate who can defeat GOP Sen. Susan Collins in a state won by Kamala Harris this cycle. The Maine Democratic Party approved tentative plans for a nominating convention to choose his successor, racing against a July 27 deadline set by state law.
A POLITICO report on Monday detailing a new sexual allegation against Platner triggered the crisis. Democrats pressured him to step aside and immediately began weighing alternatives. Platner's campaign denied the allegation, but his loss of support and financial backing made his position untenable. Some Democrats had already begun preparing before he officially exited.
The Frontrunners Emerge
Troy Jackson officially launched his Senate bid after Platner suspended his campaign. "I'm in. And we're going to defeat Susan Collins," Jackson wrote on X. "Maine deserves a Senator that will fight for working families." Jackson, a logger with long ties to organized labor, had filed his interest with the Federal Election Commission before Wednesday. Our Revolution, a progressive organization founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), has already thrown its support behind him.
But Jackson's 20-year history in the legislature is resurfacing. He voted against a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in 2009, a decision he later called the "worst vote I ever took." His closeness to Platner during the primary may also give some Democrats pause, given that Jackson was a Platner ally before calling on him to step aside Monday.
Dan Kleban also announced his bid Wednesday. The 49-year-old founder of Maine Beer Company had dropped out of the Democratic Senate primary earlier this year and backed establishment-supported Gov. Janet Mills. "Mainers deserve a senator who will fight for them against the D.C. establishment while also doing what's right," Kleban said in a statement. He's never served in public office, but he's been involved in Maine Democratic circles for years.
Others Weigh Their Options
Nirav Shah, a former public health official who oversaw the state's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, told POLITICO Tuesday afternoon that he's "evaluating" whether to mount a Senate bid. He mounted his first run for public office earlier this year and finished second in Maine's gubernatorial primary. Shah called for an open process on Tuesday, including at least one televised debate and multiple public town halls across Maine. He said he's "very, very much aligned" with Platner's politics.
Shenna Bellows, the Maine Secretary of State, said in a statement Tuesday that she would "seriously consider entering this race, because I believe I am uniquely fit to unite Mainers and defeat Susan Collins in just over 100 days." Bellows has been fielding calls about a potential run, according to a person familiar with her campaign who spoke on condition of anonymity about private conversations. The person pointed to her ideological alignment with Platner on progressive issues and her biography: she grew up poor in rural Maine and flipped a GOP-held state Senate district. Bellows previously ran for Senate and lost badly to Collins 12 years ago.
Jordan Wood, another former Senate candidate, said on X on Tuesday that he was "continuing conversations with voters across Maine if I should enter an open Senate race." He wrote, "To beat Susan Collins, we need a candidate who can provide a true contrast and run an unapologetically progressive campaign: Passing Medicare for All. Stopping ICE terrorizing our streets. Standing up to Donald Trump's abuse of power." Wood, a former staffer of former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), switched to run for the state's 2nd District after Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) decided he wouldn't attempt reelection. Wood finished third in that race, with state Auditor Matt Dunlap winning the nomination after a ranked-choice count.
Long Shots and Wild Cards
Paige Loud quickly filed interest paperwork with the FEC on Tuesday to succeed Platner. Loud also ran for Congress in the 2nd District, coming in last during the first round of voting. She'd held an unpaid role on Platner's campaign before leaving earlier this year. "I don't think we should be electing a man," Loud said in an interview. "I think I'm tired of making women vote for a man."
Valli Geiger, a member of the state House and a top ally of Platner, has also emerged as a possible successor. People close to Platner have been quick to mention her. Geiger told a Maine local outlet that Platner said he was throwing his support behind her, but the Platner campaign then said no such commitment was made. Geiger didn't respond to POLITICO's phone call and subsequent text message on Wednesday. In an interview with MSNOW, Geiger said she'd taken calls about running for Senate and that she'd be willing to run, but the 70-year-old state representative said a younger candidate would be better.
Andrea LaFlamme, a write-in candidate during the Democratic Senate primary who received just over 1,000 votes, said on Tuesday that she believes she's the "best person to take on Susan Collins" in a post on Bluesky. LaFlamme initially launched her write-in bid because of Platner's earlier controversies, telling the student paper of the college she works for that electing Platner "sends the message that women are not valued." Given the fate of her write-in campaign and the number of well-known Democrats already running, it's unlikely she'll ultimately take on Collins.
Chellie Pingree, a longtime member of Congress serving Maine's safe-blue 1st District, is also being watched as a long shot. Her bid would force the party to replace her on the ballot, which could trigger another rush of names, but her reputation as a longtime party leader could put her in contention. Her daughter Hannah is already the Democratic nominee for governor. Pingree said in a statement Monday, "Mainers deserve a nominee they can trust, a campaign focused on the challenges facing our state and our country, and a Democratic Party that responds to allegations of sexual assault with clarity, compassion, and accountability," while calling on Platner to step down.
Ryan Fecteau, the youngest person to ever become Maine's state House Speaker, joined other Maine Democrats in pushing Platner to exit the race, saying POLITICO's report "make[s] it clear that Graham's campaign cannot be successful" in a post to Facebook.
Sara Gideon, who lost to Collins 6 years ago, has kept a relatively low public profile, but she remains on the list because her campaign is still sitting on $2.4 million, according to a required FEC report filed on Wednesday.
Why This Matters:
The chaotic scramble to replace Platner reveals the high stakes of accountability within the Democratic Party and the urgent need to field a credible challenger to Collins in a state that backed Harris. With less than four months until Election Day, Maine voters deserve a transparent selection process that prioritizes the voices of those most affected by Collins's votes on healthcare, reproductive rights, and worker protections. The rush also underscores the structural challenges women and survivors face in politics: LaFlamme's write-in campaign and Loud's frustration both point to deeper questions about representation and who gets heard when allegations surface. Whether Democrats can unite behind a candidate who embodies progressive values while building a broad coalition will determine not just this Senate race, but the party's ability to hold power accountable and deliver for working families across Maine.