Maine Democrats scramble to name replacement for suspended Senate candidate Graham Platton

Graham Platton announced he would suspend his campaign for the U.S. Senate after a woman accused him of sexual assault, prompting the Maine Democratic Party to begin a search for a replacement nominee. The party has until July 27 to select a new candidate who will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.

State Secretary of State Shenna Bellows entered the race, noting she has taken on "tough fights for working people" throughout her career. Bellows, who previously ran for governor and was the Democratic Senate nominee in 2014, said she is not stopping now.

Former state Senate President Troy Jackson filed paperwork for an exploratory committee and described himself as the "best person" to replace Platton. Jackson, a longtime legislator and former gubernatorial candidate, emphasized his focus on affordable housing and tax relief.

Former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah, who finished second in the recent Democratic gubernatorial primary, announced his interest, arguing that an "outsider" is needed to defeat Collins. Shah highlighted his public-health background and said Democrats are eager to win the Senate seat.

Other potential contenders include State Rep. Valli Geiger, brewery co-founder Dan Kleban, and former Senate candidate Jordan Wood. Kleban, who previously ran for Senate, called the allegations against Platton "horrifying and completely disqualifying" and said Mainers deserve a senator who will fight the "DC establishment."

The party has not yet set the details of the nominating convention, but officials say the process will be announced soon.

"There is no place in our politics for sexual violence," wrote Troy Jackson on X.

"The one I would say is overriding is the eagerness and the commitment to defeating Susan Collins in the fall," said Nirav Shah.

"Extremely serious" – Bellows described the accusations against Platton in a social-media post.