Democratic nominee Graham Platner faces mounting pressure to step aside in Maine’s U.S. Senate race following multiple sexual assault allegations, prompting uncertainty over his potential replacement. Platner, an oyster farmer who secured the Democratic nomination earlier this year, has denied the accusations but has lost key endorsements and support from significant party figures.
The controversy has complicated efforts to find a substitute candidate, as several prominent Democrats have shown reluctance to accept Platner’s endorsement or fully align themselves with his campaign’s legacy. Of the seven potential replacements contacted, only three responded—Troy Jackson, Dan Kleban, and Jordan Wood—and all declined to seek Platner’s backing publicly.
Wood, a former chief of staff to Rep. Katie Porter (D-California) and recent congressional candidate, stated that while he shares Platner’s progressive values, he would not accept the nominee’s personal endorsement. He expressed openness to endorsements from progressive groups and unions that supported Platner but sought to distance himself from the individual. Jackson, former state Senate president and gubernatorial primary candidate, also rejected Platner’s endorsement despite their previous mutual backing. Kleban, a brewery owner, conveyed a similar stance through his spokesperson.
Platner remains the official Democratic nominee but faces increasing calls from within his party to withdraw, especially after former partner Jenny Racicot accused him of nonconsensual intercourse, alongside additional allegations of nonconsensual acts from another ex-girlfriend. Although Platner denies these claims, several high-profile backers, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), have rescinded their endorsements. The Senate Democrats’ campaign committee has announced it will not allocate further funds to his campaign if he remains the nominee.
Platner’s campaign staff informed supporters on Wednesday that he would address the future of his Senate bid later that day. He has until Monday to withdraw, a move that would trigger a two-week window for the Maine Democratic Party to select a new nominee, though the party has not specified the replacement process.
Other potential Democratic contenders, such as Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former gubernatorial candidate Nirav Shah, have not responded to inquiries regarding the Senate race. Gov. Janet Mills, who lost to Platner in the primary, has remained publicly silent amid the unfolding events.
Political observers note the difficulty for any replacement candidate in balancing the need to appeal to Platner’s energized progressive base while simultaneously distancing themselves from the controversies that have overshadowed his campaign. Ian Russell, a Democratic strategist working in Maine, emphasized that accepting Platner’s endorsement could be risky in such a tight contest, but the campaign themes addressing dissatisfaction with Washington and political institutions remain vital to echo.
The Senate race holds significant stakes for control of the chamber, currently held 53-47 by Republicans, with Maine considered one of the crucial opportunities for Democrats to gain a seat in the upcoming November midterm elections.