Platner campaign putting 'thumb on scale' to influence possible replacement, Maine Dem alleges
The Maine Democratic Party issued a stern warning to U.S. Senate primary winner Graham Platner, telling him and his campaign that they have "no role" in choosing his replacement.
Platner has not yet withdrawn from the race, and is still the state's Democrat nominee for U.S. Senate, despite mounting pressure from state and national Democrats to drop out after a woman who previously dated him accused him of sexual assault in a Politico report published Monday. Platner has denied the allegations, but said he is looking at "the best path forward," as he understood the political fallout the accusation would create.
"The Maine Democratic Party has been working around the clock to develop a process to replace our U.S. Senate nominee that is open, inclusive, transparent, and fair," state party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson said in a video posted to X amid myriad newly surfaced allegations levied against Platner with less than a week before the deadline to lock in the candidate to challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
"The integrity of this process is just as important as the outcome, and we are committed to ensuring that Democrats across our state can have confidence in both," Murphy-Anderson continued. "Unfortunately, Graham Platner's team has repeatedly reached out to us in an attempt to put their thumb on the scale of what this process looks like. We have repeatedly reiterated to Graham Platner's team that they have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, nor in determining what this process looks like."
Amid the fight with the Maine party leaders, an official for the Platner campaign said it "has reached out to the party to try and understand what this process would look like" and "at no point has the campaign tried to ‘put its finger on the scale.’"
The official added that thousands of Maine residents voted and volunteered for Platner, and they should play a role in the decision.
"While Graham wouldn’t want to be a part of the process, he would want to make sure the voters and volunteers make this decision — not the political establishment," the statement said.
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Fox News Digital has made multiple attempts to reach out to Platner's campaign for further comment, and also reached out to the Maine Democratic Party.
Maine Democratic Party leaders called on Platner to withdraw Monday, saying "multiple women have made serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner" and that the party "stands with women and survivors." The party noted that no replacement process can begin unless Platner suspends his campaign, while stating that "in no scenario is there a legal possibility for a nominee to be selected by an individual campaign."
"The sooner this process can begin, the more time we will have to administer an intentional and inclusive process for Mainers and Democrats," the party said.
"We are entrusted with deciding who represents our values and who carries our banner," the party said. "That responsibility requires judgment, leadership, and a willingness to act when circumstances demand it."
The timing is critical. According to the Maine Democratic Party, the deadline set by the secretary of state for a nominee to withdraw is July 13, and the deadline for a new nominee to be submitted is July 27. If Platner does not withdraw by the July 13 deadline, Democrats would not have the option to name a replacement.
Names of potential replacements floated in media reports include former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The race is one of Democrats' top pickup opportunities as they seek to defeat Collins, a five-term Republican incumbent, and regain control of the Senate.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.