Graham Platner (D), candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, withdrew his candidacy on July 8, 2026. In a video statement on X, Platner said, “We believe that for the movement to continue, it can’t be me. And for that reason, we are suspending campaign operations.”
The deadline for a general election candidate to withdraw in Maine, according to Title 21-A, Section 374-A of the Maine Statutes, is 5 p.m. on the second Monday in July — or July 13 this year. Before the deadline, a candidate may withdraw and be replaced for any reason. Maine law says that "A political committee may make a replacement nomination for the general election … No later than 5 p.m. of the 4th Monday in July", or July 27 this year.
According to the Bangor Daily News, the Maine Democratic Party has approved a plan for a nominating convention. County party committees will elect 500 delegates proportionally, along with the 100 state party committee members. These delegates will then select a nominee
The following candidates have declared their candidacies:
- Troy Jackson (D): Former president of the Maine Senate and third-place finisher in the Democratic primary for governor in June.
- Dan Kleban (D): Founder of Maine Beer Company and former candidate for this seat.
- Nirav Shah (D): Former Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and second-place finisher in the Democratic primary for governor in June.
- Jordan Wood (D): The executive director of the PAC democracyFIRST, and a former candidate for this seat and for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District .
The following candidates have expressed interest in running:
- Shenna Bellows (D): Incumbent secretary of state and fourth-place finisher in the Democratic primary for governor in June. Bellows said she would “seriously consider” running.
- David Costello (D): A government aide, candidate in the primary, and 2024 Democratic Senate nominee expressed interest in a social media post .
- Valli Geiger (D): A member of the Maine House of Representatives for District 42 says Platner encouraged her to enter .
- Andrea LaFlamme (D): A professor and write-in candidate for this seat in the primary expressed interest on a social media post .
Platner is the 12th Democratic or Republican U.S. Senate nominee to leave a race since 1976, either voluntarily or as the result of death. Ten were Democrats, two were Republicans.
In eight cases, a replacement nominee appeared on the ballot, and two won the general election. In 1978, John Warner (R-Va.) won after nominee Richard Obenshain (R-Va.) died in a plane crash. In 2002, former Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) won after Robert Torricelli’s withdrawal.
Whoever is selected as nominee will face incumbent Republican Susan Collins (R) in November. As of July 7, 2026, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Sabato's Crystal Ball ranked the race as a Toss-up, while Inside Elections ranked it as Tilt Republican.
To read more about Maine’s Senate election, click here.
