Here’s who could replace alleged rapist Graham Platner in Maine Senate race

WASHINGTON — Democrats will have as little as two weeks to replace alleged sexual predator Graham Platner as their nominee for the Senate seat from Maine, assuming he agrees to drop out of the race.

Read more Graham Platner’s ex-girlfriend alleges Maine Dem would sneakily pull off condoms during sex

Privately, Platner is attempting to negotiate with party bosses as he mulls his path forward, demanding a replacement who shares his far-left ideology should he quit the campaign, The Post has learned.

While Senate Democratic leadership has refrained from aggressively intervening after supporting the failed primary campaign of Gov. Janet Mills, prominent ex-Platner supporters are casting about for a new champion.

Platner romped to victory in the June 9 Democratic primary, winning 156,100 votes, 72%, to Mills’ 41,600.

Maine’s Senate race is widely seen as a must-win contest in order for Democrats to regain control of the upper chamber.

Collins has a history of outperforming polling by significant margins and overcoming Maine’s blue state tendencies.

How can Platner be replaced on the ballot?

If Platner drops out before 5 p.m. on Monday, Maine Democrats will have exactly two weeks to pick his replacement, though it’s not immediately clear what mechanism they will use to decide a new nominee.

Maine law does not address how a replacement candidate can be chosen after the primary — but it must be a “qualified person” to fill the vacancy. 

Platner aides have listed terms if he decides to drop out. They said he will only exit the race if his replacement who is “true to the values and vision and policy agenda” of Platner’s campaign.

On Monday, the Maine Democrats released a statement stating they cannot commence the process to select a new nominee unless Platner suspends his campaign. 

“If a process for selecting a new nominee becomes necessary, it will be open, transparent, and inclusive,” the statement read. “The Maine Democratic Party hopes that we have broad participation of Mainers and Democratic voters in what happens next. In no scenario is there a legal possibility for a nominee to be selected by an individual campaign.” 

The Maine Democrats also noted that the Dems cannot force Platner out if he doesn’t withdraw.

The Platner campaign would need to be suspended by Monday night or else “there will be no option to select a new nominee.”

Troy Jackson

Jackson, a 58-year-old logger and the former president of the state Senate, has filed paperwork exploring a Senate run after an unsuccessful bid for governor earlier this year that was backed by Platner endorser Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

Jackson’s supporters have already launched a “Draft Troy” movement with a website to support his campaign if chosen.

During his gubernatorial primary campaign, Jackson pledged to slash property taxes, reduce prescription drug costs, and establish a state Department of Affordable Housing.

He finished third in the gubernatorial primary with just over 31% of the vote. His candidacy was backed by labor unions, and has won elections in northern Maine for more than two decades.

A former Republican who switched to Independent ahead of his election to the state legislature in 2002 and became a Democrat two years later, Jackson came to political prominence during a 1998 logging blockade organized to protest local landowners favoring Candian contractors over locals.

Jackson campaigned with Platner last month, after allegations emerged of the Senate nominee sexting women while married and being physically abusive.

Jackson was Platner’s closest ally in the gubernatorial race.

Monday’s rape accusation against Platner prompted him to rescind that endorsement.

“There is no place in our politics for sexual violence. Not in our party, not in any party. Graham Platner must withdraw from this race today,” Jackson posted on X. “This is not what we stand for. Not as Democrats, not as Mainers, not as human beings.”

Shenna Bellows

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows finished fourth in last month’s gubernatorial primary.

Bellows ran against Collins in 2014 and got smoked by a whopping 37 percentage points.

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She later served four years in the Maine Senate, then as state secretary of state since 2021.

Bellows also served as the head of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. 

The 51-year-old made national headlines in 2024 when she tried to remove Trump from from the state’s presidential primary ballot, a ruling that was overturned by the Supreme Court that March.

Like Jackson, Bellows called on Platner to drop out after the rape accusations emerged, calling the allegations “extremely serious.”

“While Graham ignited a powerful movement to challenge the status quo, given the seriousness of the allegations, he needs to step down,” Bellows said on X.

Bellows has not expressed interest in joining the Senate race, following Platner’s allegations.

Jordan Wood

Jordan Wood, who lost the Democratic primary in Maine’s competitive 2nd Congressional District, has expressed interest in the Senate nomination.

“If my fellow Maine Democrats decide through an open and democratic process that I am the best candidate to defeat Susan Collins, I would be humbled by their trust,” he said in a statement.

Wood, 36, ran his campaign on “ending political corruption,” heavily supporting Medicare for All and universal childcare.

During his run, he held a series of town hall events, but none generated as much attention as Platner’s.

He was the first Democrat to enter the Senate primary in April of last year, but ultimately dropped out and switched to the House race.

He has many progressive positions, including support for Medicare for All.

Nirav Shah

Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Nirav Shah, who finished in second place in the Maine Democratic gubernatorial primary, confirmed Tuesday that he is thinking about jumping into a potential race to replace Platner as well.

“Anyone running for this nomination should agree to at least one televised debate and hold multiple public town halls across every corner of the state,” Shah said in a statement. “I am committed to doing that, if I run. Defeating Collins means showing up everywhere and speaking with everyone.”

“I’m not an establishment politician, and I’m not an insider. I’m a public servant who served our state in one of its darkest times.”

The 48-year-old, who is also an attorney and economist, was the face of the Mills administration during COVID-19 and is praised for his “humor and communication style.”

Shah received the most support during the first round of ranked choice voting, he fell to Hannah Pingree once the count was concluded.

Shav has confirmed that he’s been in talks with his family, his team and Maine constituents to figure out what his next steps should be and if he should enter the Senate race. He also stated that he’s received “hundreds of encouraging messages” from supporters.

Shah also said the Maine Democrats should host an “open and transparent process” for selecting a new nominee. He calls for at least one televised debate before the party finalizes their choice.

Dan Kleban

Kleban, the 49-year-old co-founder of Maine Beer Co., is another contender for replacing Platner.

He previously launched a Senate campaign in September, but ended his bid early and endorsed Mills when she entered the race in October.

Kleban has no political experience, and his campaign centered on his struggles and triumphs of being a business leader.

He campaigned mostly on affordability issues, but also focused on providing livable wages, more benefits to employees, and supporting environmental causes. 

The beer company founder has received numerous calls to jump back in the race and is “seriously considering” a bid, according to the Portland Press Herald. 

Read more Mayor Zohran Mamdani tells Maine’s Graham Platner to drop out of Senate race after rape claim