Faulty reasoning signals

• Negativity Bias - 8.9%
• Appeal to Emotion - 7.4%
• False Dilemma - 5.4%

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By Andrew Stanton , Gabe Whisnant , and Anna Commander

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Graham Platner announced that he is suspending his campaign for the Maine U.S. Senate race saying in a video post to X on Wednesday, “For the moment to continue, it can’t be me. For that reason we are suspending campaign operations.” Platner added that it is "incredibly difficult," while noting that “We’re not doing it because of the allegations, we’re doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power.”

He added that he intends to file his paperwork to withdraw, and "the process needs to assure that what comes next is reflective of the Mainers who on June 9th turned out and showed that they are desperate for a different kind of politics."

Platner previously signaled that a decision on whether to remain in Maine’s U.S. Senate race could come within days, as his campaign launched a 48-hour effort to gather input from supporters following a series of sexual assault allegations.

In a message to backers on Wednesday, shared first on X by Punchbowl News, the campaign said, “every Mainer” who has contributed time, talent or support “deserves for their voices to be heard” and announced a process to collect feedback from supporters.

The campaign said it would review all submissions and share them with the Maine Democratic Party, as questions swirled about Platner’s political future.

The allegation reported Monday sparked pressure on Platner to withdraw from Maine's high-stakes Senate race against Republican Senator Susan Collins, one of the most consequential contests of the 2026 cycle. Even longtime ally Senator Bernie Sanders broke with the candidate, saying he would "recommend that he step aside."

James Melcher, a professor of political science at the University of Maine at Farmington, told Newsweek that the greater political danger for Democrats is not that Republicans will capitalize on Platner's scandals, but that the party could struggle to maintain unity after the collapse of a candidacy that drew significant support from voters attracted to his outsider appeal.

He argued that the "bigger issue for Democrats will be getting their party united in a race where so much of Platner's support was driven by his outsider nature," adding that the larger risk is "not looking responsive to the elements of their own party" rather than giving Republicans a potent line of attack.

The latest allegation was first reported by Politico on Monday. Maine resident Jenny Racicot alleged that Platner entered her home while intoxicated in late 2021 and forced her to have sex despite her repeated objections. She said the two had previously been involved in an on-and-off relationship and that the encounter was not consensual.

Platner rejected the sexual assault allegation in an email to Newsweek on Tuesday, saying: "These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue."

The controversy deepened Tuesday evening when The Washington Post reported that a former girlfriend had accused Platner of removing a condom during sex without her consent.

Newsweek reached out to the Platner campaign via email on Wednesday afternoon for comment.

Maine Democrats Accuse Platner of Trying to ‘Manipulate’ Process

In the survey to supporters, the Platner campaign said that the progressive movement built around Platner extends beyond a single candidate and said the volunteers and supporters who fueled it should play a meaningful role in whatever comes next. It warned that Democrats risk alienating many of the voters drawn to the campaign's populist message if they fail to take those views into account during the nomination process.

Supporters were asked to submit messages to both the Maine Democratic Party and Platner himself. The campaign said it would compile the responses and present them to party leaders as Democrats weigh how to proceed in one of the country's most closely watched Senate races.

Devon Murphy-Anderson, the executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, hit out at Platner’s team in a post on X Wednesday afternoon. She criticized the campaign for “distracting from the job of defeating Susan Collins in November with false accusations against us,” pledging a “transparent and inclusive process to select a new nominee when he chooses to withdraw from the race.”

“While we may be frustrated with Graham Platner’s continued efforts to manipulate this process, we are so thankful for his supporters and all of their efforts to defeat Susan Collins – they are a vital part of our Party and deserve to participate in an open process to select Platner’s replacement,” she wrote.

The Maine Democratic Party was also planning an emergency meeting for Wednesday, reported the Portland Press Herald.

Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky, co-founders of the anti-harassment advocacy group Lift Our Voices, told Newsweek via email that responses to sexual misconduct allegations should not vary based on politics or party affiliation. They said they were disappointed that allegations previously reported against Platner did not prompt more forceful calls from Democratic leaders for him to leave the race.

Platner first faced public allegations of misconduct in early June, when a New York Times investigation detailed claims from former partners who described what they characterized as controlling and physically intimidating behavior during past relationships. Platner denied the allegations

"We were disappointed to see the lack of accountability for Platner following the initial accusations, and we hope all elected leaders are learning from these earlier mistakes. Every allegation deserves to be heard, and we can’t allow our leaders, regardless of party, to turn a blind eye to misconduct," they said.

How Would Graham Platner Be Replaced?

Maine election law provides a mechanism for replacing a general-election nominee after the primary. A political party may name a new candidate if its nominee withdraws by 5 p.m. on July 13. This means that despite Platner's primary win, Democrats could still have a different nominee in November. The party would have until 5 p.m. on July 27 to select a replacement nominee. The process is handled internally by the party.

Murphy-Anderson said in a video released Tuesday night that party leaders were developing an "open, inclusive, transparent and fair" process to choose a replacement nominee. She also alleged that Platner's team had repeatedly tried to "put their thumb on the scale" as the party considered its options.

“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,” she said.

In response, a Platner campaign official said that the campaign had sought clarity from party leaders about the replacement process and rejected claims that it had tried to influence the outcome. The official said the party should take into account the views of the thousands of Maine voters and volunteers who backed Platner's candidacy.

“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.

Who Could Replace Graham Platner?

With Platner's possible exit, several Democrats have begun positioning themselves as potential candidates to take on Collins in November.

One possible contender is Dr. Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, who told reporters Tuesday that he was "evaluating" whether to enter the race. Shah said he had been in contact with Maine Democratic Party officials and stressed the importance of a replacement process grounded in "openness, transparency and robustness."

"Every single day that we don't have a nominee, and a process and a clear pathway for the nominee, is another day that we're letting Sen. Collins continue to get her message out," Shah said. "As of right now, it's not clear what the process will be."

Shah, who finished second in Maine's Democratic gubernatorial primary this year, added: "I want to give the party grace, because we're building this plane as we're flying it."

Governor Janet Mills, who briefly sought the Democratic Senate nomination before ending her campaign ahead of the June 9 primary, has also been mentioned as a possible replacement. Mills, who had the backing of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, withdrew from the race earlier this year, citing fundraising challenges.

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is another name drawing attention. Jackson, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for governor this year with support from both Platner and Sanders, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to create a Senate exploratory committee.

When asked about the process of possibly replacing Platner, Jackson told Newsweek in a phone call, "I think if we have an open, transparent, state-wide process, I think we won't be fractured. I think that's the best opportunity to make sure that everyone feels like they were heard, and that's what I want too."

Jackson also told NBC News that he wouldn’t want Platner’s endorsement, “I don’t want it, it’s unfortunate, but I just don’t it," he told the network.

Progressive group Our Revolution quickly rallied behind the prospect of a Jackson candidacy, writing in a fundraising email: "Remember: Progressives overwhelmingly won the primary. A progressive MUST be on the ballot." The group described Jackson as a logger and union leader who previously led Sanders' presidential efforts in Maine.

I Dated Graham Platner. I Believe Jenny Racicot and Lyndsey Fifield.

Dan Kleban, the co-founder of Maine Beer Company, said he would run to replace Platner on Wednesday. Kleban originally ran for Senate but exited the primary after Mills announced her run.

“I’m stepping forward because I believe in Maine. I believe in our people. And I believe that together, we can build a future that works for everyone — not just the wealthy and well‑connected,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, state Representative Valli Geiger told Portland's WMTW that Platner told her he would support her bid.

"He said 'Valli you are a fighter, you have been with this movement since the beginning'," Geiger told the news station. She said she is “heartbroken” by the allegations. She represents Rockland, a coastal town, and has been among Platner’s most vocal supporters in the state.

The Platner campaign told WMTW that he had not decided on an endorsement, but that he had called Geiger to encourage her to run if he withdrew from the race.

Paige Loud, a social worker who lost the Democratic primary for Maine’s Second District, also said she would seek the Senate nomination.

Jordan Wood, a former U.S. Senate candidate who later mounted an unsuccessful bid for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, said Tuesday he was "continuing conversations" with voters about a possible Senate run.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who also unsuccessfully ran in the gubernatorial primary, also said she would "seriously consider entering this race."

Actor Patrick Dempsey Considered Maine US Senate Run

Actor Patrick Dempsey said he gave serious consideration to a Senate run, but ultimately concluded he could have a greater impact outside elected office. In an op-ed published Tuesday in the Portland Press Herald, the actor wrote, "After a lot of thought, I realized the answer is no. Not because public service isn’t honorable — it absolutely is. But because I believe I can contribute more effectively through the life I’ve already built.”

New Poll Shows Democrats’ Chances Against Susan Collins

A Public Policy Polling poll, commissioned by Platner’s campaign and first reported by Politico, revealed how Democrats fare against Collins post-scandal. It surveyed 785 Maine voters on Tuesday. Platner trailed Collins by 5 points, with 49 percent of respondents backing the incumbent Republican and 42 percent supporting Platner.

Jackson fared the best with 49 percent to Collins’ 44 percent.

Mills trailed Collins in the poll, which found Collins’ support at 48 percent to Mills’ 37 percent. Wood also trailed Collins with 38 percent to the Republican’s 47 percent. Politico reported that Bellows and Shah were essentially tied with Collins.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gabe Whisnant and Sam Wilson .

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