Graham Platner Withdraws from Maine Senate Race

Graham Platner formally withdrew his candidacy for the Maine Senate on July 11, 2026, as confirmed by the Maine Secretary of State. The office announced that it received a letter from Platner, which is a necessary step for a formal withdrawal. This announcement followed Platner's recent suspension of his campaign operations due to an allegation of sexual assault, which he denied. In his letter, Platner described his campaign as a representation of 'a new kind of politics' and expressed gratitude to his supporters. He emphasized that the ballot line belonged to the people of Maine, and he requested that his notice be considered an official withdrawal from the race. Under state law, the deadline for withdrawal was 5 p.m. on July 10. Platner's withdrawal allows the Maine Democratic Party to nominate a replacement by July 27. Several candidates have emerged to seek the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Senator Susan Collins. Platner's campaign faced challenges, including accusations of misconduct, which included sending inappropriate messages and derogatory comments online. The sexual assault allegation reported by Politico prompted significant backlash, leading to the withdrawal of endorsements from various Democratic groups. Platner, a 41-year-old oysterman and Iraq War veteran, had previously won the Democratic primary after Governor Janet Mills exited the race, campaigning on a progressive platform focused on affordability and healthcare access.