Susan Collins

Maine Democrats must find a new candidate to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins after Graham Platner suspended his campaign due to a sexual assault accusation. Potential replacements include Gov. Janet Mills, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, and others, with a July 27 deadline to certify a nominee for the November ballot.

Graham Platner has withdrawn from the Maine Senate race following a sexual assault allegation, prompting several Democrats to vie for his replacement by July 27. Candidates include former state Senate president Troy Jackson, former CDC director Nirav Shah, Dan Kleban, and others. The replacement will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.

Susan Collins' re-election campaign faces uncertainty after Graham Platner withdrew from the race, forcing Democrats to select a new nominee. Collins' team had leveraged Platner's controversies to counter his challenge, but his exit complicates their strategy. Democrats plan a nominating convention, while Republicans aim to associate the new nominee with Platner's allegations.

Graham Platner has suspended his Senate campaign. The Maine Democratic Party must now find a replacement to challenge Susan Collins.

Cheyenne Hunt, a lawyer and executive director of Reckoning Action, expressed relief over Graham Platner's withdrawal from the Maine Senate race and praised Democrats for prioritizing values. Hunt, who linked allegations against Platner and former Rep. Eric Swalwell, withdrew support from Platner after ex-partners described his behavior as 'reckless' and 'unsettling'.

Graham Platner's exit from Maine's Senate race removes a perceived advantage for Sen. Susan Collins' reelection bid, as his personal controversies were expected to help offset challenges in a blue state. Collins' team now faces the prospect of a more conventional general election with a Democratic candidate having a 'cleaner record.'

Graham Platner, a Senate nominee, ended his campaign after a rape allegation. The withdrawal affects Maine's Senate race against Susan Collins.

Graham Platner, the Maine Senate Democratic nominee, suspended his campaign following sexual assault allegations. He denied the claims but faces calls to withdraw, with the party planning a convention to select a new nominee.

Republicans criticized Graham Platner after he suspended his campaign, attempting to link Democrats to his failed candidacy. GOP figures accused Democrats of undermining Maine voters and expressed confidence in Susan Collins' re-election despite the state being won by Kamala Harris in 2024.

Dan Kleban, founder of Maine Beer Company, has re-entered the Maine Senate race after briefly running last year. He criticized GOP Sen. Susan Collins and the 'DC establishment,' positioning himself as a candidate to advance Graham Platner's movement, who suspended his campaign. Kleban also stated he would not take Platner's endorsement and called for a fair nominating process.

Graham Platner, an oyster farmer turned candidate, withdrew from Maine's Democratic primary after allegations of sexual assault he denies. Maine Democrats must select a replacement by 27 July to face Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent, in a pivotal Senate race.

Senate Democrats' campaign arm has re-entered the Maine Senate race and launched a fund to support the party's new nominee following Graham Platner's withdrawal. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senate Majority PAC aim to defeat GOP Sen. Susan Collins and secure Senate control.

Troy Jackson, a progressive ally of Graham Platner, officially launched a Senate campaign with endorsements from Bernie Sanders and progressive support. A flash poll by Platner's campaign and POLITICO showed Jackson leading over Susan Collins, though he has distanced himself from Platner.

Graham Platner plans to withdraw from the Maine Senate race following a sexual assault claim, which has intensified divisions within the Democratic Party. He criticized Washington leaders for interfering in the candidate replacement process and denied the allegations as 'categorically false'.

Graham Platner, the Maine U.S. Senate candidate, withdrew from the race after a sexual assault accusation led to a loss of party support. The Maine Democratic Party must replace him by July 21, with Platner denying the allegations and attributing his exit to political structures rather than the accusations.

Graham Platner withdrew from Maine’s Senate race following a new sexual allegation, prompting Democrats to seek replacements to challenge GOP Sen. Susan Collins. Potential candidates include Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows, and others, with the Maine Democratic Party required to select a successor by July 27.

Senate Majority PAC, Democrats’ top Senate super PAC, is committed to defeating GOP Sen. Susan Collins following Graham Platner’s suspension of his campaign. The PAC had previously threatened to cut resources if Platner remained on the ticket after allegations against him, which he denies, were reported by POLITICO.

Graham Platner withdrew from the Maine Senate race following allegations of sexual assault and other controversies, complicating Democrats' efforts to unseat Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Platner's resignation leaves the party with a challenge to find a replacement candidate while retaining his grassroots support.

Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, announced his withdrawal from the race following a sexual assault allegation. The incident has sparked internal party conflict and threatens Democrats' efforts to regain control of the Senate.

Graham Platner, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Maine, announced his withdrawal from the race following a sexual assault allegation. His exit could disrupt Democratic efforts to regain Senate control and highlights internal party divisions.

Graham Platner plans to withdraw from the Maine Senate race following a sexual assault allegation. His exit may impact Democratic unity and the Senate race, with Jenny Racicot alleging non-consensual sex. Platner denied the claim but faced loss of support from leaders like Bernie Sanders.

Graham Platner ended his campaign to unseat GOP Sen. Susan Collins in Maine after facing a rape allegation, leading to the withdrawal of top Democrats' support. His campaign was marked by repeated scandals.

Graham Platner plans to withdraw from the Maine Senate race following a sexual assault allegation. He denied the claim but cited the need for an open replacement process, highlighting divisions within the Democratic Party.

Graham Platner, a Maine U.S. Senate candidate, withdrew from the race after a woman accused him of sexual assault in a Politico article. Platner denied the allegations but faced mounting pressure following the report and prior controversies, including a Nazi symbol tattoo and explicit text messages. A nonprofit group, Reckoning Action, supported the accuser, who cited a moral conflict in coming forward despite Platner's progressive platform.

Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, withdrew his Senate bid amid controversies over his past. He had won the Democratic primary, leaving the party without a nominee to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in the upcoming election.

Graham Platner withdrew his Maine Senate bid amid past controversies, leaving Democrats without a nominee to challenge Susan Collins. Platner had won the Democratic primary despite growing scrutiny over his history.

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has suspended his campaign against GOP Sen. Susan Collins following a sexual assault allegation. A woman accused him of the assault five years ago.

Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, suspended his campaign amid a rape allegation, allowing the Maine Democratic Party to replace him on the general election ballot before a July 13 deadline. Platner's exit follows a primary victory and escalating pressure from Democrats, though he denied the allegations as false.

Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, suspended his campaign amid a rape allegation, allowing the Maine Democratic Party to replace him before a critical deadline. Platner's exit impacts the Senate race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, which is pivotal for the GOP's Senate majority.

President Donald Trump stated that the controversy over Maine oysterman Graham Platner involves 'whether you believe the woman' who accused him of sexual assault. Platner, a Democratic Senate nominee, has lost support after allegations emerged, with Democrats considering a replacement. Trump questioned if Democrats should replace Platner, referencing a separate woman who accused him of mistreatment but not sexual assault.

The Maine Democratic Party plans a 600-person nominating convention to select a replacement for Senate candidate Graham Platner if he withdraws. The convention would include 500 delegates elected by county committees and 100 state committee members, with details to be announced soon.

Republicans are gaining confidence in maintaining Senate control as Democrats face challenges in Maine due to a sexual assault allegation against Democratic candidate Graham Platner. The controversy shifts the Senate race in Maine from a potential Democratic pickup to a divided field with uncertain nominee selection.

Republicans are gaining confidence in holding the Senate majority as Democrats face internal turmoil in Maine over candidate Graham Platner's sexual assault allegations. The Democratic race in Maine has become uncertain, shifting focus to other states like North Carolina, Iowa, and Alaska for potential pickups.

Republicans are optimistic about maintaining Senate control as Democrats struggle with internal issues in Maine. A sexual assault accusation against Democratic candidate Graham Platner has weakened his campaign, with potential replacements seen as less threatening to Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The National Republican Senatorial Committee suggests Democrats now lack a viable path to a Senate majority without Maine.

Republicans are gaining confidence in their Senate majority prospects due to Democratic infighting in Maine, where candidate Graham Platner faces a credible sexual assault allegation. The controversy has shifted Maine's Senate race from a Democratic advantage to a chaotic situation with no clear nominee, reducing Democrats' chances of flipping the seat.

Patrick Dempsey confirmed he will not run for a Maine Senate seat, ending speculation about his potential candidacy. He wrote in the Portland Press Herald that he believes his current life allows him to contribute more effectively than through congressional service. Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee, paused his campaign amid a sexual assault allegation.

Actor Patrick Dempsey announced he will not run for a Maine Senate seat, ending speculation about his candidacy to replace Democratic nominee Graham Platner. Platner has paused his campaign amid a sexual assault accusation, and Dempsey stated he can contribute more effectively through his existing work rather than seeking public office.

Patrick Dempsey confirmed he will not run for a Maine Senate seat, ending speculation about his candidacy. The decision comes as embattled Democratic nominee Graham Platner has paused his campaign amid sexual assault allegations. Dempsey emphasized his belief that his current life's work allows more effective contributions than political office.

Patrick Dempsey confirmed he will not run for a Maine Senate seat, ending speculation about his candidacy. Democratic nominee Graham Platner has paused his campaign amid sexual assault allegations. Dempsey emphasized the need for meaningful change on issues like housing, healthcare, and education but declined to endorse any replacement candidate.

Graham Platner's campaign conducted a poll to assess potential Democratic replacements amid pressure to exit the Senate race following a sexual assault allegation. The campaign canceled events and ads, and discussions with the Maine Democratic Party about replacing him on the ballot became contentious.