BRUNSWICK, Maine – On a sunny Sunday, Senate hopeful David Costello worked the sidewalk in downtown Brunswick asking for signatures."Woud you happen to be a registered Democrat?" he asked one woman before engaging in a back and forth conversation.She asks if he's progressive."Very progressive," Costello said.Costello is one of several Maine Democrats who see the fall of Graham Platner's senate campaign as an opportunity to represent Maine in Washington.Platner won June's Democratic primary election handily.
But allegations of rape by a former romantic partner last week forced him to drop out of the race.It leaves Maine Democrats scrambling to find a new nominee before the July 27 deadline to put a name on the ballot.
Platner denies the allegations.The Maine Democratic Party will hold a convention on July 25 where 601 delegates will choose that nominee.That candidate will need to capitalize on the enthusiasm Platner generated to defeat Republican Sen.
Susan Collins.Collins remained quiet at the end of Platner's campaign but at the annual Moxie Day parade Saturday in Lisbon, Maine, she walked with volunteers in red shirts."People appreciate the fact that I provide steady leadership — and the word steady does come up a lot," Collins said at the parade, "and that I continue to work really hard for Maine."Collins has represented Maine in the Senate since 1997.She has managed to stay in her seat even as Maine has voted for Democrats for president statewide, including in 2020 when the state voted for Joe Biden.
Collins last won reelection that year with a comfortable margin — more than 8.5%.Democrats see Maine as pivotal to their chances to retake the Senate.Platner's departure from the race puts pressure on the party to choose a replacement candidate who can win over Platner's loyal voters and appeal to independents who are key to Collins' electoral success.
Maine state Senate President Mattie Daughtry, a Democrat, is encouraged to see many of the candidates ru...