Race to Replace Platner on the Maine Ballot Heats Up as Democrats Line Up

The scramble to replace Platner on the Maine ballot began almost immediately after progressive nominee Graham Platner announced he would step aside. His exit, prompted by a sexual assault allegation he firmly denies, has thrown a pivotal U.S. Senate contest into sudden uncertainty. Now Maine Democrats face a tight timeline and a crowded field of hopefuls, all eager to take on longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

A Sudden Vacancy With High Stakes

Under state law, Democrats must choose a new candidate to replace Platner on the ballot by July 27. Whoever wins that nomination will have less than four months to build a campaign before squaring off against Collins in the general election.

Several potential contenders had already been hinting at their interest even before Platner confirmed his departure. He is expected to file the paperwork to formally withdraw on Monday, which marks the deadline to do so. In the meantime, a growing list of Democrats wasted no time launching their own bids on Thursday.

How the Replacement Will Be Chosen

The Maine Democratic Party has announced that it will hold a nominating convention to select Platner’s replacement. According to the party, the process will involve hundreds of delegates from across the state. However, the exact timing and format of that convention have not yet been made clear.

The stakes could hardly be higher. Maine is viewed as a crucial battleground in the fight for control of the narrowly divided Senate. Democrats are eager to find a candidate strong enough to defeat Collins, especially at a moment when President Donald Trump remains broadly unpopular.

One name that looms over the field is Gov. Janet Mills, who ran during the primary but suspended her campaign in late April. So far, she has not signaled whether she intends to jump back into the race.

The Democrats Raising Their Hands

A number of candidates have already stepped forward, each bringing a different profile to the contest.

Troy Jackson

Jackson, the former president of Maine’s state Senate, launched his campaign shortly after Platner announced his exit. Earlier this year, he ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination with backing from both Platner and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Positioning himself as the champion Mainers want, Jackson, 58, argued that voters are looking for “a progressive fighter.” Our Revolution, the group founded by Sanders, has since endorsed him, and Jackson rolled out a statement featuring dozens of endorsements from current and former state and local officials.

Nirav Shah

Shah, who previously directed Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, announced his candidacy on Thursday. He finished second in this year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary and was widely seen as a more moderate figure than Jackson during that race. At a news conference, Shah reached out directly to Platner’s supporters, welcoming them into his campaign and telling them their voices matter. He framed his bid around shared values that unite Democrats across the state.

Dan Kleban

Kleban, co-founder of the Maine Beer Company, confirmed his candidacy on Wednesday following Platner’s announcement. This isn’t his first attempt at the seat, as he briefly entered the Senate race last year before stepping aside when Mills entered. At the time, he endorsed Mills, who later dropped out of the primary. Now 49, Kleban says he is ready to fight for Mainers and bring a new generation of leadership to Washington.

Shenna Bellows

Bellows, Maine’s secretary of state, announced her run on Thursday, pointing to a career spent taking on difficult battles and doing the right thing. A former civil liberties advocate, she has previously clashed with Trump over ballot access issues. This would not be her first campaign for office. At 51, she placed fourth in the state’s Democratic gubernatorial primary in June, and back in 2014, she ran against Collins as the Democratic Senate nominee, losing by a wide margin.

Jordan Wood

Wood, 36, originally sought a spot in last year’s Democratic Senate primary before shifting to run in the state’s 2nd District, where he finished third behind state Auditor Matt Dunlap. Having expressed renewed interest in the Senate, he formally announced on Thursday. Wood has called for a candidate who offers a sharp contrast with Collins and runs an unapologetically progressive campaign, emphasizing priorities like Medicare for All and pushing back against aggressive immigration enforcement.

Paige Loud

Loud, a 29-year-old social worker, filed her paperwork earlier in the week. She previously ran in the 2nd District Democratic primary but finished last in the state’s first round of ranked choice voting.

Valli Geiger

Geiger, a state Democratic lawmaker and former Platner supporter, is another possible contender. While she has not officially declared, the 70-year-old said in an interview that she would hire Platner’s staff, describing them as deeply passionate and capable young people.

David Costello

Costello, who ran in the June primary and finished third behind Platner and Mills, announced Thursday that he is returning to the race. He believes he is the right choice because his lived experiences reflect the same everyday struggles that many Mainers face.

The Bottom Line

The effort to replace Platner on the Maine ballot has quickly become one of the most closely watched political developments in the country. With a firm July 27 deadline, a nominating convention still being organized, and a deep bench of candidates already competing, Maine Democrats are moving fast to settle on a nominee capable of challenging Susan Collins. The coming weeks will determine who carries the party’s hopes in a Senate seat that could help decide which party controls the chamber.