Graham Platner is officially out of the Maine Senate race : NPR

Graham Platner, who was the Democratic nominee for the Senate in Maine, has officially withdrawn from the race. Read more here.

According to the Maine Secretary of State, Platner submitted the necessary documents to withdraw two days after announcing his intention to step aside. This decision followed an accusation of rape by a former romantic partner, which Platner denies.

The Maine Democratic Party now has until July 27 to choose a new candidate to replace Platner.

In his withdrawal notice, Platner acknowledged the public’s desire for change, citing this as the reason behind his initial nomination. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and pledged to continue advocating for the movement they had created together.

Platner concluded his notice with a firm statement in support of the progressive platform: “F*ck ICE. Free Palestine. Up the Hearts.”

On July 8, Platner shared an 11-minute video on social media detailing his decision to suspend his campaign, which he attributed to financial constraints. “We are going to lose our ability to fundraise. We are going to lose our ability to access voter data. We are going to lose all of the things that any campaign needs on the basic level simply to function,” he explained.

He stated that his withdrawal was not an admission of guilt but rather an effort to sustain the progressive movement in Maine, with the goal of defeating Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Platner blamed the “political establishment” for forcing him out of the race, asserting that their objective was to eliminate his campaign.

“We built a campaign. We engaged in electoral politics. We motivated people. We banded together. We did it the way that we were told we are supposed to make change and we won. And now they are not going to let us have it. Not if it’s me,” he said.

Numerous influential Democrats and progressives, including independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, had urged Platner to step down.

Despite facing numerous scandals since launching his Senate bid, Platner secured the Democratic nomination in the June 9 primary with over 150,000 votes, more than any previous Democratic Senate candidate in Maine’s history.

Platner’s campaign focused on progressive issues such as affordability, universal health care, and eliminating corporate influence in politics. His campaign generated significant enthusiasm, a momentum the Maine Democratic Party aims to utilize in its effort to defeat Collins in the general election.

Several candidates have already launched campaigns to replace Platner, including former state Sen. Troy Jackson and former CDC official Nirav Shah, both of whom previously ran unsuccessful gubernatorial campaigns.

Platner called for a replacement process that reflects the desires of Mainers who, on June 9, showed their eagerness for a new kind of politics.

“We were asking for real democracy, and we did it the right way. And we won. But now the ball is in the court of the Democratic establishment,” he said.

The Maine Democratic Party plans to hold a new nominating convention with approximately 600 delegates to select Platner’s successor. Candidates have until July 15 to declare their intent to run and must gather signatures from at least 8 of Maine’s 16 counties. Party leadership has committed to making the nomination process public and transparent.