The Maine Democratic Party has outlined an expedited process to select a replacement nominee for the U.S. Senate seat after Graham Platner withdrew from the race following allegations of sexual assault. The replacement is set to be chosen within three weeks of Platner’s exit, allowing the new nominee just under 100 days to campaign against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in what is anticipated to be one of the most closely contested races of the midterm elections.
The replacement process began with a July 15 deadline for candidates to declare their intent to run, resulting in twelve Democrats entering the race. Nine of these candidates participated in a debate on July 16 hosted by a regional news organization. During the debate, candidates sought to capture the grassroots enthusiasm associated with Platner’s campaign while condemning his alleged misconduct. They also criticized Senator Collins for her alignment with former President Donald Trump, and collectively opposed the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Maine, particularly in the wake of a fatal shooting in Biddeford on July 13.
On July 18 and 19, the party conducted county-level meetings across Maine’s 16 counties, either in person or virtually, to select 500 delegates for the upcoming state convention scheduled for July 25 in Bangor. These delegates are not formally bound to any candidate, though many have publicly indicated their preferences. Delegate allocations were determined based on the volume of Democratic votes recorded in each county during the 2024 presidential election, with Cumberland County, home to Portland, contributing the largest share. Additionally, 101 delegates will be appointed by the Maine Democratic Party’s state committee.
Supporters of Troy Jackson, a veteran state legislator, reportedly dominated the county meetings. Shenna Bellows, the Maine secretary of state and a major progressive contender, suspended her campaign and endorsed Jackson on July 19. Subsequently, three other candidates—Nirav Shah, former public health director; Dan Klegan, a local business owner; and Jordan Wood, a former congressional aide—also exited the race.
Candidates were required to meet a July 20 deadline to submit at least 500 signatures, including a minimum of 50 signatures from residents of at least eight different counties, to remain eligible.
The convention voting will proceed through multiple rounds until one candidate secures a majority. If no majority is reached in the initial vote, the top five candidates advance to subsequent rounds, with the candidate receiving the fewest votes eliminated after each round. In the event of a tie for the last spot, a tiebreaker vote will determine which candidate advances. The party plans to submit the name of the chosen nominee to Secretary of State Bellows by July 27, marking the final step in the replacement process.
The swift timeline underscores the urgency and complexity facing the Maine Democratic Party as it seeks to position a strong contender against Collins, whose re-election bid figures prominently in the national midterm landscape.