Maine Senate Candidate Platner Quits After Assault Claim
Graham Platner has withdrawn from the US Senate race in Maine. He was the Democratic nominee running against Senator Susan Collins.
His campaign faced scandals. One woman said he sexually assaulted her in 2021 while drunk.
Platner has denied this claim. He announced his exit two days before filing official paperwork.
That paperwork removed his name from the November ballot. Platner said the allegations were not why he quit.
He blamed party "structures" working against him instead. He said people want change.
He said that is why they picked him as nominee. Top Democrats had asked him to step aside.
These included Chuck Schumer Elizabeth Warren Ro Khanna Bernie Sanders and Ruben Gallego. Schumer and a Democratic campaign group said the party would not fund Maine if Platner stayed.
Democrats must pick a new nominee by July 27. The Maine Democratic Party plans a meeting to choose someone.
At least six candidates are already seeking the nomination. Both parties see this Senate race as important.
Key Terms 3
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee A group that raises money to help Democrats win Senate seats.
- nominee The person a party picks to run in an election.
- convention A meeting where a party picks its candidate.