WASHINGTON — Democrats could have as little as two weeks to choose a new nominee for Maine’s U.S. Senate race if Graham Platner, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, agrees to withdraw from the contest.
Behind the scenes, Platner has been in discussions with party leaders as he weighs his next move, seeking assurances that any replacement would reflect his left-wing political views if he exits the race, The Post has learned.
Senate Democratic leaders have so far avoided a forceful intervention after previously backing Gov. Janet Mills’ unsuccessful primary campaign. Still, several high-profile figures who once supported Platner are now looking for another candidate to rally behind.
If Platner withdraws before 5 p.m. on July 13, Maine Democrats would have exactly 14 days to select a replacement nominee. It remains unclear what process the party would use to make that decision.
Here is a look at some of the possible contenders who could take on Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
Several names are already being discussed as potential alternatives.
Troy Jackson
Jackson, a logger and former president of the Maine Senate, has filed paperwork to explore a Senate campaign after an unsuccessful run for governor earlier this year. His gubernatorial bid was supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who had also endorsed Platner.
During the Democratic primary for governor, Jackson campaigned on cutting property taxes, lowering prescription drug prices and creating a state Department of Affordable Housing.
A former Republican who switched to Independent ahead of his election to the state legislature in 2002 and became a Democrat two years later, Jackson came to political prominence during a 1998 logging blockade organized to protest local landowners favoring Candian contractors over locals.
Jackson campaigned with Platner last month, after allegations emerged of the Senate nominee sexting women while married and being physically abusive.
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Monday’s rape accusation against Platner prompted him to rescind that endorsement.
“There is no place in our politics for sexual violence. Not in our party, not in any party. Graham Platner must withdraw from this race today,” Jackson posted on X. “This is not what we stand for. Not as Democrats, not as Mainers, not as human beings.”
Shenna Bellows
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows finished fourth in last month’s gubernatorial primary.
Bellows ran against Collins in 2014 and got smoked by a whopping 37 percentage points.
She later served four years in the Maine Senate, then as state secretary of state since 2021.
The 51-year-old made national headlines in 2024 when she tried to remove Trump from from the state’s presidential primary ballot, a ruling that was overturned by the Supreme Court that March.
Like Jackson, Bellows called on Platner to drop out after the rape accusations emerged, calling the allegations “extremely serious.”
Jordan Wood
Jordan Wood, who lost the Democratic primary in Maine’s competitive 2nd Congressional District, has expressed interest in the Senate nomination.
“If my fellow Maine Democrats decide through an open and democratic process that I am the best candidate to defeat Susan Collins, I would be humbled by their trust,” he said in a statement.
Wood was the first Democrat to enter the Senate primary in April of last year, but ultimately dropped out and switched to the House race.
He has many progressive positions, including support for Medicare for All.
Nirav Shah
Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Nirav Shah, who finished in second place in the Maine Democratic gubernatorial primary, confirmed Tuesday that he is thinking about jumping into a potential race to replace Platner as well.
“Anyone running for this nomination should agree to at least one televised debate and hold multiple public town halls across every corner of the state,” Shah said in a statement. “I am committed to doing that, if I run. Defeating Collins means showing up everywhere and speaking with everyone.”
“I’m not an establishment politician, and I’m not an insider. I’m a public servant who served our state in one of its darkest times.”
Shah received the most support during the first round of ranked choice voting, he fell to Hannah Pingree once the count was concluded.
Maine’s Senate race is widely seen as a must-win contest in order for Democrats to regain control of the upper chamber.
Collins has a history of outperforming polling by significant margins and overcoming Maine’s blue state tendencies.
