Disgraced Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has suspended his campaign but he is not formally stepping aside just yet.
According to Axios, Platner has told campaign staff he expects to file his official withdrawal on Monday, the last possible day under Maine law for major-party candidates to remove themselves from the general election ballot.
The timing has infuriated Democrats, who are racing to preserve one of their top Senate pickup opportunities against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Under Maine law, Democrats cannot replace Platner unless he formally withdraws, making the filing deadline a critical milestone.
Platner announced earlier this week that he would suspend his campaign after his former girlfriend accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021. He has denied the allegation but said remaining in the race would become a distraction from Democrats’ effort to defeat Collins.
Despite that public announcement, Maine election officials confirmed Thursday that they had not yet received an official notice of withdrawal, leaving the nomination in limbo.
Platner has argued that the replacement process should reflect “the will of the people” rather than decisions made behind closed doors, though some Democrats remain skeptical that he will follow through as promised until the paperwork is filed.
Several Democrats have already begun positioning themselves as potential replacements, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former CDC Director Nirav Shah, former state Senate President Troy Jackson, brewery founder Dan Kleban, and former congressional aide Jordan Wood. Party leaders are preparing a nominating convention that would select a new candidate if Platner officially withdraws in time.
The controversy has upended what had been one of Democrats’ strongest Senate opportunities this cycle. Before the allegation surfaced, Platner had built a national progressive following and was viewed as a formidable challenger to Collins. His campaign quickly unraveled after prominent supporters, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna, withdrew their backing and urged him to leave the race.
Unless Platner files the required paperwork by Monday’s deadline, Democrats would face significant legal and political complications in attempting to replace their nominee before November’s election.
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