Staffers for Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on Wednesday accused the state party of locking out grassroots supporters from any role in selecting a replacement nominee, as Platner faces sexual assault allegations that have upended the race.
Ben Chin, Platner's campaign manager, sent a text blast claiming the Maine Democratic Party told staff they would “have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, nor in determining what this process looks like.” Chin asserted that the effort would be run by the Washington-based Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).
“We firmly believe that the supporters and volunteers who built this movement deserve to have a real role in any nomination process,” Chin wrote. He added that if the party wants to avoid alienating the hundreds of thousands who backed Platner’s platform, it must consult the people who built the campaign. He included a link to a SurveyMonkey form for voter feedback to be sent to the state party.
Platner’s organizing director, Spencer Toth, also resigned from the Maine Democratic Party, citing the party’s failure to engage with grassroots organizers and volunteers. The resignations mark a deepening rift over how to handle the fallout from the allegations.
The DSCC pushed back sharply. “This is false. The Maine Democratic Party has made it clear that they are working to put forth an open process to select a nominee,” a DSCC spokesperson told The Hill. The spokesperson added, “Graham Platner — who was credibly accused of rape — needs to drop out immediately so that Maine Democrats can begin the process of fielding a new candidate and focus on defeating Susan Collins.”
Platner’s ex-girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield accused him of raping her in 2021 by removing a condom during sex without her consent. Another former partner, Jenny Racicot, told Politico that Platner forced her to have sex while he was intoxicated. Platner has denied the allegations and, as of Wednesday, had not suspended his campaign.
Top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), have called on Platner to step down. The scandal has exposed deeper tensions within the party over primary processes and accountability.
Devon Murphy-Anderson, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, said in a statement that Platner’s campaign is “focused on distracting from the job of defeating Susan Collins in November with false accusations against us.” She insisted the party is “hyper focused on developing a representative, transparent and inclusive process to select a new nominee when he chooses to withdraw.” Murphy-Anderson added that Platner’s supporters “are a vital part of our Party and deserve to participate in an open process.”
The dispute comes as the party scrambles to find a replacement candidate who can challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Several progressive groups, including Our Revolution, have already backed state Senate President Troy Jackson as a potential nominee, as reported in our earlier coverage. The rape allegation has deepened a factional rift between the party establishment and grassroots activists who powered Platner’s primary bid.
With the general election approaching and Collins’ seat a top target for Democrats, the party faces pressure to resolve the nomination quickly. The Maine Democratic Party has not yet set a timeline for selecting a new nominee, but officials say they aim for an inclusive process once Platner exits.
