Graham Platner pulled out of the Maine Senate race on Friday, concluding a turbulent chapter and enabling Democrats to start the process of picking a replacement nominee.
“I write to formally withdraw my candidacy for United States Senate,” Mr. Platner wrote in a letter to the Maine secretary of state. “Please consider this notice as my official withdrawal from consideration for this office.”
His official exit, confirmed by Jana Spaulding, an aide to the Maine secretary of state, follows his announcement two days earlier that he was suspending his campaign after denying a rape allegation. It also coincides with Maine Democrats starting discussions on a replacement process, expected to conclude at a state convention in two weeks.
Maine Democrats are aiming for a late‑July party convention to choose a new Senate nominee to replace Platner. State and county Democratic officials have spent the week drafting the rules for selecting delegates, who will vote among the few candidates already vying for the nomination.
At least six contenders have indicated they will join the shortened race. Three are former gubernatorial candidates who lost their primary last month, two were defeated in House primaries, and the sixth previously ran for Senate before withdrawing his candidacy last year.
Platner needed to submit his withdrawal by 5 p.m. Monday; missing the deadline would have left him on the November general‑election ballot—a problematic outcome given the recent controversies surrounding his background.
In his withdrawal letter, Platner highlighted the achievements of his primary campaign, restated his policy platform, and echoed comments from his Wednesday announcement suspending his run. He closed with a vulgar remark about Immigration and Customs Enforcement, added “Free Palestine,” and included “Up the Hearts,” a nod to Portland’s professional soccer team.
Maine Democrats have until July 27 to select a replacement nominee. The chosen candidate will face Republican Senator Susan Collins in a race that has long been regarded as a pivotal battleground for control of the Senate.
Tim Balk contributed reporting.
