The Maine Democratic Party moved swiftly on Wednesday, approving tentative plans for a nominating convention to select a replacement for Graham Platner, who dropped out of the state's Senate race. This rapid internal maneuvering comes less than four months before Election Day, as the party seeks to fill a void and challenge GOP Sen. Susan Collins, the sole Republican candidate in a state won by Kamala Harris. The party's actions highlight its role in managing political transitions to maintain its position within the established order.
Platner's exit followed a POLITICO report on a new sexual allegation against him on Monday. Democrats, already weighing alternatives, pressured him to step aside. His campaign denied the allegation, but the loss of support and financial backing accelerated the search for a new candidate. The July 27 deadline set by state law dictates the urgency of this process.
The Party Machine at Work
Troy Jackson, a logger with long ties to organized labor, officially launched his Senate bid after Platner suspended his campaign. Jackson, who had been a Platner ally before calling on him to step aside, declared, “I’m in. And we’re going to defeat Susan Collins. Maine deserves a Senator that will fight for working families.” Our Revolution, a progressive organization, has already endorsed Jackson. However, his 17-year-old vote against legalizing same-sex marriage, which he later called his “worst vote,” and his recent closeness to Platner, may complicate his appeal to some within the party.
Dan Kleban, 49, founder of Maine Beer Company, also announced his candidacy on Wednesday. Kleban, who had previously backed establishment-aligned Gov. Janet Mills, stated, “Mainers deserve a senator who will fight for them against the D.C. establishment while also doing what’s right.” He has no prior public office experience but has been active in Maine Democratic circles, representing the business class's continued engagement in electoral politics.
Several other figures are now evaluating runs. Nirav Shah, a former public health official, is "evaluating" a bid and called for an open process, including televised debates and public town halls. Shah, who finished second in Maine’s gubernatorial primary earlier this year, said he is “very, very much aligned” with Platner’s politics, signaling a continuity of political ideology within the party's potential choices.
The Illusion of Choice
Shenna Bellows, the Maine Secretary of State, is "seriously consider[ing] entering this race." Bellows, who grew up poor in rural Maine and flipped a GOP-held state Senate district, previously ran for Senate 12 years ago, losing to Collins. A person familiar with her campaign noted her ideological alignment with Platner on progressive issues, yet her past electoral performance against the incumbent raises questions about the party's strategy.
Jordan Wood, another former Senate candidate, stated he was “continuing conversations with voters across Maine.” Wood, a former staffer, advocated for "Medicare for All" and "Stopping ICE terrorizing our streets," positioning himself with policies that directly address the material conditions of working people. However, he finished third in a recent congressional race, illustrating the difficulty of advancing such platforms within the mainstream party structure.
Paige Loud, who held an unpaid role on Platner’s campaign, quickly filed interest paperwork. Loud, who came in last during the first round of voting in a previous congressional race, expressed a desire to elect a woman, stating, “I don’t think we should be electing a man. I think I’m tired of making women vote for a man.” This focus on identity politics often overshadows deeper class analysis within the party.
Valli Geiger, a state House member and Platner ally, has also emerged as a possible successor, with Platner reportedly throwing his support behind her, though his campaign later denied this. Geiger, 70, expressed willingness to run but suggested a younger candidate would be better, indicating the internal negotiations and power dynamics at play.
Andrea LaFlamme, a write-in candidate who received just over 1,000 votes in the primary, believes she is the “best person to take on Susan Collins.” LaFlamme launched her write-in bid due to Platner’s earlier controversies, arguing that electing him “sends the message that women are not valued.” Her marginal vote count demonstrates the limited avenues for independent challenges to the party's chosen candidates.
Even Chellie Pingree, a longtime member of Congress, is being watched as a long shot, despite her daughter Hannah already being the Democratic nominee for governor. Pingree called for a nominee Mainers "can trust" and a party that "responds to allegations of sexual assault with clarity, compassion, and accountability," reflecting the party's focus on managing public perception and internal conduct rather than fundamental economic shifts. Sara Gideon, who lost to Collins 6 years ago, still maintains $2.4 million in campaign funds, according to a required FEC report filed on Wednesday, a stark reminder of the financial resources that underpin electoral politics and the continued accumulation of capital within the political sphere.