PORTLAND — Maine Democrats opened an urgent search Thursday for a new nominee to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins after progressive candidate Graham Platner said he would withdraw from the race amid a sexual assault allegation that he denies.
Short window to pick a replacement
State law requires the party to submit a replacement name to the ballot by July 27. The person selected will have less than four months to mount a general election campaign against Collins, who has been a longtime incumbent in Washington.
The Maine Democratic Party said it will select the replacement at a nominating convention made up of "hundreds of delegates" from across the state. The party has not yet announced how or when that convention will be held.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ballot replacement deadline | July 27 (state law) |
| Withdrawal paperwork | Platner was expected to file formal withdrawal paperwork on Monday, the deadline to do so |
| Time to general election | Under four months from the time the replacement is named |
Campaigns already forming
Potential contenders began signalling interest before Platner’s announcement, and several moved quickly to formalize campaigns once he said he would step aside. The urgency of the timeline has prompted a flurry of activity from elected officials and activists across the state.
Shortly after Platner said he would quit the Senate race, Troy Jackson launched his campaign, arguing that Mainers want "a progressive fighter."
Former state Senate President Troy Jackson, who ran for governor earlier this year and drew support from Platner and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders during that primary, quickly launched a campaign after the announcement. The progressive group Our Revolution has said it will back Jackson. The report notes Gov. Janet Mills — who sought the Democratic nomination earlier this year and suspended her campaign in April — has not indicated whether she will enter the race.
What party leaders say
The Maine Democratic Party outlined that selection will come through a delegate convention; beyond that, details remain unresolved. Party officials have said the convention will involve delegates from around the state, but timing and procedures were still being set as Democrats scrambled to finalize a nominee by the statutory deadline.
- Legal deadline: Replacement chosen and paperwork filed by July 27.
- Convention method: Party-run nominating convention comprised of hundreds of delegates.
- Campaign clock: Nominee will have under four months before the general election to build a statewide campaign against Sen. Collins.
The development adds urgency to what was already considered one of the nation’s most consequential Senate contests. Maine’s seat is seen as pivotal to control of the closely divided U.S. Senate, and Democrats are looking for a candidate who can consolidate the party and compete statewide against a well-known incumbent.
Reporting from Portland was based on the Associated Press account filed July 10.
