Maine Democrats Want Their Nominee Out. There’s Just One Problem.

The Maine Democratic Party is working “around the clock” to replace Graham Platner, but as the Democrat Senate nominee, he has leverage—and he’s using it.

A civil war is brewing in Maine. As calls continue for Platner to step down, he has stayed silent and continues to deny multiple allegations of sexual assault.

According to the state’s election law, if he withdraws from the race by Friday, the Maine Democratic Party can replace him with a candidate of its choice.

On a private call with his staff Monday evening, after the most recent allegations were made public, Platner said he still has leverage to influence their decision.

A spokesperson for the local party says the process will be “open, inclusive, transparent, and fair,” and will ensure “the integrity of this process is just as inclusive as the outcome.”

The state Democratic Party claims Platner is attempting to put his “thumb on the scale” of who will represent Democrats in November. However, voters chose Platner less than a month ago. The progressive candidate won more than 72% of the vote in the Democratic primary, forcing Gov. Janet Mills out of the race.

In 2024, a different thumb was on the scale when the Democratic establishment removed President Joe Biden from the ticket and crowned Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee without a single primary vote.

In a text blast to campaign volunteers, Platner’s campaign manager, Ben Chin, slammed the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for planning a “potential nominating process behind closed doors.”

“Both the state and national parties cut our team, our volunteers, and our vast networks of supporters out of the conversation completely. We firmly believe that the supporters and volunteers who built this movement deserve to have a real role in any nomination process,” Chin wrote.

It is now a fight between the Democratic establishment—the committee, which controls the nomination process, and Platner’s campaign, which gets to decide if he will exit the race.

Potential Replacements

Progressive Troy Jackson

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, a friend and former supporter of Platner, is the most likely replacement. Following Platner’s most recent sexual assault allegation, Jackson called for Platner to step down. He said he is “very interested” in replacing Platner and would be “the best person” to do so.

On Tuesday, Jackson filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to begin fundraising for a possible bid. However, he has not made a formal announcement.

Last month, he finished last in the gubernatorial campaign.

Unlike Platner, Jackson has an extensive career in politics, including nearly 20 years in Maine. Like Platner, he is among the more progressive options.

Gov. Janet Mills

Mills, 77, withdrew her nomination before the primary election last month. She represents the Democratic establishment but was pushed out by Platner’s success. This may be a chance for the committee to put her back in the race.

Brewery Owner Dan Kleban

Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban has thrown his hat back in the race, announcing his interest in the nomination if Platner drops out.

He originally ran against Mills and Platner but quickly withdrew to support the governor in the primary. However, his statement announcing renewed interest sounded more like Platner’s than Mills’.

“We’re all sick and tired of a system that’s been rigged by corporate interests, and we’ve had enough meddling from Washington establishment insiders and New York City consultants trying to dictate who represents us. 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 time again,” he wrote.

Nirav Shah

Nirav Shah, a former Maine health official who led the state’s Center for Disease Control during the COVID-19 pandemic, is well known and liked in the state and placed second in the gubernatorial campaign.

In a statement released Tuesday, Shah laid out suggestions for Democrat candidates vying for the nomination. He suggested anyone running should agree to at least one televised debate and multiple town halls, which he plans to do.

The Democratic Party has not responded to this suggestion.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows

Shenna Bellows, the secretary of state, might have another chance to go up against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. In 2014, she lost decisively to Collins. Bellows also ran for governor but did not place well.