Graham Platner says he's "suspending" Maine Senate bid

According to Axios, Maine Democrat Graham Platner announced Wednesday night that he is suspending his campaign for the U.S. Senate, signaling he intends to withdraw from a race Democrats had hoped would unseat Republican Susan Collins. His retreat follows sexual assault allegations from two women, which he denies. One told the Washington Post he removed condoms without her consent; the other said he forced himself on her in twenty twenty-one. Within hours of those reports, the Maine Democratic Party called for his exit, and party leaders including Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders demanded he quit or rescinded their endorsements. In a defiant video, Platner called the allegations false and blamed what he described as a corporate media system and political establishment acting as judge, jury and executioner. His collapse is a significant blow to progressives: an oyster farmer and Marine veteran who had never held office, he drew large crowds, out-fundraised Governor Janet Mills, and won the primary with nearly seventy-two percent despite earlier controversies. Democrats now have until July twenty-seventh to name a replacement through a nominating convention, a process some progressives criticize as undemocratic. Axios notes the turmoil further complicates an already narrow path to a Senate majority.

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