Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate campaign after scandal and assault allegation

Democrat Graham Platner has suspended his campaign for the US Senate in Maine after a series of scandals, including a sexual assault allegation. He said he will formally withdraw from the race once a replacement is selected through what he described as a transparent and democratic process. The move comes in a contest seen as important to Democrats' hopes of winning control of the Senate.

Sponsored

Platner said in an 11-minute video posted online that the decision was not an admission of guilt. He said the allegation was false and that the claims against him did not happen. He also said the suspension followed pressure from Democrats who had threatened to cut off campaign support.

The race had already been shaken by the fallout from the allegation. By Monday night, several prominent Democrats had called on Platner to step aside, and some of his strongest supporters in Congress had withdrawn their endorsements. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Maine Democratic Party had also ended their backing, according to the supplied material.

Platner had emerged as a leading Democratic contender in the Maine race, with support from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. He had campaigned as an oyster farmer and military veteran, promoting progressive policies including universal health care and affordable housing. His rise had been strong enough that his main rival for the nomination, Maine Governor Janet Mills, suspended her own campaign.

Sponsored

The development matters because Maine is one of the Senate races that could help decide which party controls the chamber after the November congressional elections. Republican Susan Collins is the opponent named in the supplied material, and the contest has been closely watched because of its potential national impact. Under state law, Platner had to drop out by 13 July for a replacement name to be placed on the ballot.

What happens next will depend on whether a replacement candidate is chosen in time and whether Platner follows through with a formal withdrawal. It remains unclear who would replace him and how quickly party officials can settle on a candidate. The episode also leaves open how the campaign will be reorganised after the loss of funding, endorsements and organisational support.

#GrahamPlatner #MaineSenaterace #SusanCollins #DemocraticParty #USSenate