Maine hopefuls jump into Senate race after Platner exit

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A growing number of Maine Democrats have announced bids for the Senate after candidate Graham Platner announced Wednesday he would be suspending his campaign in light of mounting allegations of sexual misconduct and assault — accusations he has denied.

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban both quickly announced they would be jumping into the race to battle Sen. Susan Collins (R) in the fall.

“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,” Kleban said in a Wednesday afternoon post on Substack — before Platner’s exit.

“I’m in,” Jackson wrote in a post on the social platform X, arguing that “Maine deserves a Senator that will fight for working families.”

They were soon followed by Nirav Shah, a former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and former congressional candidate Jordan Wood, as they both announced Thursday they would also be joining the burgeoning Democratic field.

“This race is not about one person or one seat. It is about everyday Mainers. I’ve shown up and fought for you before, and I am ready to do it again,” Shah said in a post on the social platform X.

Wood, who lost a primary to succeed retiring Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), also asked Mainers to rally around his candidacy.

“I have been told that I am too progressive, that I am too young, that a gay man can’t win,” Wood, who served as a chief of staff to former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), said in a statement.

“These cynics are wrong. They have been wrong all of our lives. They remain wrong today. I’m asking for your support to take back control of our party, and our country.”

Other Democrats who could potentially launch bids include Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and state Rep. Valli Geiger, the latter of whom said she was encouraged to run by Platner, according to WMTW-TV. Social worker Paige Loud, who also ran and lost the Democratic primary for Golden’s seat, filed paperwork to run on Tuesday and is mulling a bid.

Platner announced in a video on social media he would be suspending his campaign after handily winning the Democratic primary last month. Platner’s campaign has been rocked by allegations from former women he dated, including a rape allegation.

The oyster farmer has denied all of the accusations, saying in a video they are “all false.”

But Platner had little choice but to leave the race as his own supporters piled pressure upon him, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Platner has until Monday evening to formally withdraw so the state party can formally nominate a new candidate to remain on the ballot. Assuming Platner drops out by Monday evening, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to name a replacement.

The state party said it’s holding a nominating convention to pick its new candidate, with additional details to be announced in the coming days.

Democrats have long seen Maine as a crucial state in their hopes of winning back the Senate majority, since it has been a blue state in presidential elections.

Collins has been a tough opponent, however, and has previously weathered Democratic challenges.

Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to win the majority.

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Bernie Sanders

Jared Golden

Katie Porter

Nirav Shah

Shenna Bellows

Susan Collins

Troy Jackson

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