The scramble to replace scandal-plagued candidate Graham Platner in Maine's Senate race intensified Thursday as a slew of Democrats declared their candidacies, aiming to take on Republican incumbent Susan Collins in a pivotal contest for control of the chamber.
Platner, who won the Democratic primary last month, announced Wednesday he was suspending his campaign after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct and assault—charges he has denied. The oyster farmer faced mounting pressure from allies, including Senator Bernie Sanders, to step aside.
Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban were the first to jump in, both announcing their bids within hours of Platner's exit. Jackson posted on X, “I’m in,” arguing that “Maine deserves a Senator that will fight for working families.” Kleban, in a Substack post before Platner's withdrawal, declared, “It’s time for a new generation of leadership in Washington, one that’s not beholden to the establishment that has failed us time and again.”
By Thursday, two more candidates entered the fray: Nirav Shah, former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Jordan Wood, a former congressional candidate and chief of staff to ex-Representative Katie Porter. Shah wrote on X, “This race is not about one person or one seat. It is about everyday Mainers. I’ve shown up and fought for you before, and I am ready to do it again.” Wood, who lost a primary for retiring Representative Jared Golden’s seat, called for unity, saying, “I have been told that I am too progressive, that I am too young, that a gay man can’t win. These cynics are wrong. They have been wrong all of our lives. They remain wrong today.”
Other potential contenders include Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and state Representative Valli Geiger, who told WMTW-TV that Platner himself encouraged her to replace him. Social worker Paige Loud, another primary loser for Golden’s seat, filed paperwork Tuesday and is reportedly gaining traction.
Platner’s exit followed a cascade of allegations from former partners, including a rape accusation. He insisted in a video that the claims are “all false,” but the pressure became untenable after prominent backers like Sanders called for his withdrawal. Senator John Fetterman hailed the move, saying, “The trash took itself out.”
Under Maine Democratic Party rules, Platner must formally withdraw by Monday evening to allow the party to nominate a replacement by July 27. The state party plans a nominating convention, with details pending. Some staffers have criticized the process as excluding grassroots voices, adding to internal strife.
Democrats view Maine as a critical pickup opportunity—the state has voted blue in every presidential election since 1992—but Collins has proven a resilient opponent, fending off strong challenges before. With Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to reclaim the Senate majority, the race is a top national priority.
The crowded field underscores the high stakes, as candidates jostle to consolidate support before the party’s deadline. “This is about taking back control of our party and our country,” Wood said, encapsulating the urgency among Democrats eager to unite behind a viable challenger.
