Democratic Party debates replacement for Maine Senate nominee amid assault allegations

Democratic nominee Graham Platner has not resigned from the Maine U.S. Senate race despite a sexual assault allegation that surfaced earlier this week. The claim, reported by Politico and later detailed by The Washington Post, describes an ex-girlfriend accusing Platner of removing condoms during sex without consent. Platner denies the allegations and has not indicated whether he will step aside.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime supporter, publicly recommended that Platner withdraw. The Maine Democratic Party, tasked with establishing a replacement process, has not yet announced its plan, leaving the field open for potential candidates.

Progressive groups fear losing the momentum Platner built in the primary, where he defeated establishment-backed Governor Janet Mills. Our Revolution, the organization founded by Sanders, withdrew its endorsement of Platner and said it is “rallying behind” former state Senate President Troy Jackson, who has filed paperwork to explore a Senate run.

"To the Democratic establishment: This is not your opening," said Joseph Geevarghese, leader of Our Revolution.

"No one’s enjoying this experience, and it seems like the consensus step forward should be having a fair and open process that everybody feels is legitimate," said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

"A new replacement is going to start very much behind the eight ball," said state Senator Joe Baldacci.

Potential successors include Jackson, former CDC director Nirav Shah, former Senate candidate Jordan Wood, and other figures such as Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former Rep. Jared Golden. The deadline for a candidate to withdraw from the ballot is 5 p.m. on July 13, and there is no mechanism to remove a candidate without his consent.

The controversy has sparked debate within the party between progressive leaders who want a candidate with a similar platform to Platner and establishment figures who caution that ties to the scandal could hurt the campaign against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.