Democrats Search for Graham Platner’s Runner-Up

Maine Democrats Seek New Senate Candidate After Graham Platner Withdraws

Maine Democrats are selecting a replacement nominee for the U.S. Senate race against Republican incumbent Susan Collins. The process follows the withdrawal of their primary winner, Graham Platner.

Collins, first elected in 1996, is seeking a sixth term in the November election. Democrats have held majorities in the Maine House of Representatives since 2012 and in the Senate since 2018. They have controlled the governorship since 2019. The party has maintained unified control of state government for multiple periods over the past three decades.

Reports from the Maine Wire and Unleash Prosperity have cited specific state performance measures, including an F grade for infrastructure, a 36 percent increase in electricity rates in one recent year, the highest property tax burden in the nation, the fourth-highest individual tax burden, a ranking of 46th for ease of starting a business, 41st in education, and 43rd in economic and overall freedom metrics.

In the Democratic primary, Platner defeated former Gov. Janet Mills and secured 72 percent of the vote in June. National Democratic figures and some media outlets had endorsed or highlighted his candidacy earlier in the cycle.

Prior to the primary, reports surfaced about Platner’s past online activity. Deleted Reddit posts from earlier years included statements in which he described himself as a communist, criticized various demographic groups, and used derogatory language toward police, women, and others. Additional disclosures included a tattoo on his chest that some observers identified as a Nazi-era symbol; Platner stated it was obtained during military service and provided varying explanations for its meaning. Other reports detailed a 2026 statement from a wounded veteran whom Platner had previously criticized, sexually explicit messages sent by Platner early in his marriage, and allegations of toxic behavior from three former girlfriends.

These matters were public before the June primary. Platner’s campaign also faced scrutiny over financial support from family members, positions including support for Medicare for All and reduced military aid to Israel, and statements accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

Following the primary, further allegations emerged. In reports published after the June vote, a former girlfriend accused Platner of sexual assault in 2021. Platner denied the claim. Shortly afterward, he withdrew from the race.

Democratic leaders and activists had supported Platner through earlier controversies. After the withdrawal, the party began the process of choosing a new nominee. The sequence has drawn attention to the party’s candidate selection standards and the impact of the final allegations on voter coalitions that include a majority of women.

The episode illustrates how primary voters and party officials weighed multiple reported issues against electoral goals before the withdrawal shifted the contest. Democrats now face the task of unifying behind a different candidate for the general election against Collins.