Several Democrats are speculated to be options to replace Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on the ballot if he ends his campaign, which many expect him to do following an ex-girlfriend’s allegation of rape on Monday.Under Maine law, if Platner formally withdraws as the Democratic nominee by 5 p.m.on July 13, the Maine Democratic Party can replace him on the general election ballot by selecting a new nominee through its party process, with the replacement required to be chosen by July 27.A handful of Democrats in the state are being discussed as viable options to challenge incumbent Republican Sen.
Susan Collins.Platner’s campaign, the New York Post reported, is deliberating about potentially dropping out, but that any potential replacement would need to align with the same political platform as Platner.GRAHAM PLATNER'S CHANCES OF DROPPING OUT SKYROCKET TO 94% AFTER PARTY REVOLT: KALSHIU.S.senatorial candidate from Maine Graham Platner speaks at a town hall at the Leavitt Theater on Oct.
22, 2025, in Ogunquit, Maine.(Sophie Park/Getty Images)Former state Senate President and gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson is a name circulating on social media as someone who could potentially jump into the race a month after his failed primary bid for governor."This is something I never considered, but if Graham’s stepping away, I am very, very interested and think I’m the best person to replace him," Jackson told the Bangor Daily News on Monday.Jackson, who, like Platner, is backed by Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders, came in third in the Democratic gubernatorial primary last month.On Tuesday, the Bangor Daily News reported that Jackson filed paperwork to explore a Senate run, the first potential candidate to do so. FOX NEWS POLL: MAINE SENATE RACE IS TIGHT, WITH CONCERNS ABOUT BOTH CANDIDATESRep.
Jared Golden, D-Maine, participates in a news conference in the U.S.Capitol on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
(Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.via Gett...