Maine Democrats Mobilize to Select New Senate Candidate After Platner Withdrawal
Maine Democratic Party officials are organizing a rapid, inclusive selection process to name a replacement candidate for the U.S. Senate race, with a deadline of July 27.
The Maine Democratic Party is racing to name a new candidate for the U.S. Senate race after Graham Platner withdrew amid sexual-assault allegations. Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson said the party must submit a name to the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on July 27 and is working to make the process “fair, transparent and inclusive.”
Party officials plan a 601-person convention on July 25, two days before the filing deadline, involving 101 central-committee members and 500 delegates from the state’s 16 counties, with additional input from local party meetings and voters.
“The grassroots energy that we had up until this moment needs to find a home,” Murphy-Anderson told ABC News.
Potential nominees include former state Senate president Troy Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, entrepreneur Dan Kleban and former CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah. Shah said the campaign’s goals remain unchanged despite the late start.
“Our mission hasn't changed. The desire, the enthusiasm, the zeal among Democrats to defeat Susan Collins has not changed at all,” Shah said.
Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has won five Senate elections in Maine, said she does not take any race for granted. Former Platner supporters expressed disappointment but indicated they would eventually rally behind the party’s eventual nominee.
“I think people will take some time, but I think ultimately they will… support whoever the nominee is to beat Susan Collins,” said Sandra Smith Congdon, a former Platner backer.