Maine Democrat Nirav Shah announced Tuesday that he is weighing a U.S. Senate campaign, stepping into the vacuum created by nominee Graham Platner’s pending withdrawal after a fresh sexual assault allegation surfaced. Shah, the former state public health director, had previously run for governor in the Democratic primary but fell short.
“In the past 24 hours, my team and I have received hundreds of encouraging messages, as Graham Platner has signaled he will withdraw from Maine’s US Senate race,” Shah wrote on social media. “Right now, our number one priority must be defeating Senator Susan Collins. I have been having conversations with my wife, my team, and Mainers across the state about what comes next and evaluating whether I should enter the Senate race.”
The shakeup comes after Politico published a detailed account from Jenny Racicot, a former romantic partner of Platner, who accused him of forcing her to have sex while he was intoxicated in 2021. Several of Platner’s backers have since pulled endorsements. In a brief video response, Platner denied the allegation but said his campaign is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.”
The new accusation is the latest in a series of controversies that have dogged Platner’s campaign. Previously, since-deleted Reddit posts surfaced in which he downplayed sexual assault, and multiple former partners described a pattern of physical intimidation and abusive behavior. For more on the initial fallout, see Maine Democrat Platner Denies New Sexual Assault Allegation, Pauses Campaign.
The Maine Democratic Party issued a statement Monday urging Platner to drop out. If he exits before the Monday ballot deadline, the party has until July 27 to name a replacement. In a joint statement, party leaders commended the women who came forward, noting that “speaking up is often costly.” They added: “This Senate race comes at a pivotal moment in the struggle against a government, supported by Senator Collins, that serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful at the expense of ordinary Maine people. It is essential that we refocus this campaign on that struggle.”
Shah is not the only potential contender. Troy Jackson, a state senator and former gubernatorial primary rival, also expressed interest. “This is a very, very serious allegation, but I haven’t talked to Graham,” Jackson told the Bangor Daily News. “This is something I never considered, but if Graham’s stepping away, I am very, very interested and think I’m the best person to replace him.”
The race to unseat Collins, a Republican incumbent, has become a top national priority for Democrats. The party views Maine as a key battleground in the fight for Senate control. For context on the broader stakes, see Democrats Weaponize GOP's Tax Cut Bill in Senate Battles as Medicaid Cuts Bite.
As Platner’s campaign falters, Republican strategists are watching closely. A recent poll found that 75% of Maine voters believe Platner should step aside. For more on that, see Poll: 75% of Maine Voters Want Platner Out After New Assault Allegation.
The Democratic nominee’s collapse has energized the GOP, which sees an opportunity to hold the seat. But with Shah or Jackson potentially stepping in, the race remains highly competitive. Both candidates would bring their own records and liabilities, but for now, the focus is on ensuring a smooth and credible replacement before the deadline.
