Dan Kleban, the co‑founder of Freeport’s Maine Beer Company, announced on July 8 that he is re‑entering the contest to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Why the replacement contest matters now
The state Democratic Party must select a replacement candidate through an accelerated nominating procedure after the party’s June primary winner, Graham Platner, suspended his campaign amid an allegation of sexual assault. Platner has denied the accusation. Party leaders have until July 27 to choose a new nominee who would appear on the November ballot against Collins.
Kleban is best known in Maine for building Maine Beer Company, founded in Freeport in 2009 with his brother David. The brewery became widely known for popular beers such as Lunch, Dinner and Peeper, and for promoting an ethos the company summarizes as “Do What’s Right,” including environmental initiatives and worker policies. In his announcement, Kleban said encouragement from Mainers and conversations with his family influenced his decision to run.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the countless calls from Mainers encouraging me to consider this race. I love Maine and everything it has given me. This is where I started and grew a successful business focused on doing what’s right for workers and our community. It’s where my wife of 22 years and I have raised our teenage twins. And after talking with them, I’m in.”
What comes next
The expedited selection process means party officials and committees will weigh potential candidates in the coming weeks. If Kleban is chosen by Democrats, he would formally challenge Collins in November’s general election. The timeline leaves limited time for a statewide campaign to coalesce: the party’s deadline is July 27, giving potential nominees only weeks to organize, fundraise and reach voters before the fall campaign heats up.
- Announcement date: July 8
- Party replacement deadline: July 27
- Senate seat up for election: November general election
For Mainers who know Kleban through his business rather than politics, his entry bridges community entrepreneurship and public service debate: he framed his interest around worker and community priorities. Observers will watch how Democratic leaders balance name recognition, electability against Collins and the compressed calendar.
| Item | Date / Detail |
|---|---|
| Kleban announcement | July 8, 2026 |
| Party replacement deadline | July 27, 2026 |
| General election | November 2026 |
This contest will affect statewide political dynamics and shape conversations in communities across Maine — from Freeport, where Maine Beer Company is based, to towns where voters weigh economic priorities, healthcare and other issues ahead of November. The coming weeks will determine whether Kleban’s local standing in the craft‑beer and business community translates into a place on the Democratic ticket.
