Democrat Graham Platner announced a surprise campaign update amid online sexual assault allegations on July 9, 2026.
The announcement comes after Democrats called on him to withdraw from the race.
The Maine election is seen as a turning point for Democrats in their bid to take control of the U.S. Senate.
Platner, sharing a video post on
He continued, “incredibly difficult,” while asserting that “we’re not doing this because of the allegations, we’re doing this because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power.”
Platner, in an 11-minute video, said he would submit his withdrawal documents only after being assured that the successor would be “open and democratic in the future.”
“But I will say this: It must be open, transparent and democratic. It must reflect the will and the values of the people who built this movement,” Platner said.
For the uninitiated, under state law, Platner has until July 13 to officially file withdrawal paperwork in order to have a replacement name printed on the ballot.
Maine is one of the must-win state races in the midterms for Democrats to gain a majority in the Senate.
For now, the task appears daunting: Democrats start by flipping Collins’ seat, keep all the seats they currently have, and win three more in the November midterms.
