Maine brewery owner throws hat in ring to replace Platner

A Maine brewery owner on Wednesday threw his hat in the ring to replace Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner following accusations of rape, even as Platner has not yet officially suspended his campaign.

Dan Kleban, owner of Maine Beer Company in Freeport, published a Wednesday Substack post expressing his interest in the nomination after suspending his Senate campaign last October to endorse Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D).

Mills ultimately suspended her campaign in April, citing a lack of financial resources and leaving Platner without a primary challenger.

“I’ve spent years talking to Mainers over a beer in our taproom and throughout the community. We’re all sick and tired of a system that’s been rigged by corporate interests, and we’ve had enough meddling from Washington establishment insiders and New York City consultants trying to dictate who represents us,” Kleban wrote in the post.

“It’s time for a new generation of leadership in Washington, one that’s not beholden to the establishment that has failed us time and again,” he added.

Kleban says now is the time to join the field of candidates for consideration to replace Platner after two of Platner’s ex-girlfriends came forward accusing him of rape earlier this week.

The allegations led to more than a dozen Democratic Senators and aligned groups to withdraw their endorsement for Platner’s campaign.

Platner’s supporters have pushed for someone with similar ideals to replace him as the Democratic nominee, although he hasn’t officially suspended his campaign.

Kleban, who previously raised $458,786 for the Democratic primary, holds policy positions that are similar to Platner’s agenda.

“Over the next two weeks, we need an open, transparent process to select our nominee. I’m ready to fight for Mainers and bring a new generation of leadership to Washington. I believe I can unite our party and finally defeat Susan Collins in November,” he wrote in the Substack post.

Other potential replacements for Platner include former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Nirav Shah, former state senator and executive director for the Maine branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Shenna Bellows and Jordan Wood, the former chief of staff to ex-Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.).