Graham Platner Withdraws from Senate Race Following Allegations

Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, officially withdrew from the U.S. Senate race on July 10, 2026, following allegations of sexual misconduct. In a letter posted on social media, Platner thanked the 156,084 Mainers who voted for him in the Democratic primary and stated, "I write to formally withdraw my candidacy for United States Senate." The withdrawal comes two days after he announced the suspension of his campaign amid controversies, including allegations of rape and other misconduct, which he has denied. Platner's campaign was initially supported by progressive figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders, and he was challenging Republican Senator Susan Collins in a competitive race. The allegations against him included claims from a former girlfriend regarding forced sexual encounters and other instances of misconduct. Following these developments, the Maine Democratic Party is working to establish a process for selecting a new candidate for the Senate race.