{"id":2608673,"date":"2026-05-30T23:03:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T03:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-democrats-could-replace-platner-on-the-maine-ticket-after-he-wins-the-primary\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T23:04:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T03:04:34","slug":"how-democrats-could-replace-platner-on-the-maine-ticket-after-he-wins-the-primary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-democrats-could-replace-platner-on-the-maine-ticket-after-he-wins-the-primary\/","title":{"rendered":"How Democrats could replace Platner on the Maine ticket after he wins the primary"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhow-democrats-could-replace-platner-on-the-maine-ticket-after-he-wins-the-primary%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2608673&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Democratic Party could possibly replace maine senate candidate Graham Platner on the general election ballot if he wins the Democratic primary and then withdraws by a mid-July deadline, according too Maine election law. Specifically, a primary-nominated candidate may withdraw by 5 p.m. of the second Monday in July before the general election, after which the state party committee can make a replacement nomination by 5 p.m. of the fourth Monday in July.<\/p>\n<p>The article notes that Platner, if he wins the June 9 Democratic primary, would have to step aside by July 13 for Democrats to nominate a replacement to challenge incumbent Sen.susan Collins.It also highlights renewed controversy involving Platner after his campaign confirmed that his wife told an aide last summer she knew about sexually explicit texts Platner had sent to multiple women. This comes after earlier attention last October for vulgar social media comments and a reported Nazi symbol tattoo.  <\/p>\n<p>Despite the controversies, Platner has support from figures such as Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, though Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss said the tattoo and related commentary personally disqualify him.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spencer-pratt-spins-residence-accusation-into-jab-at-bass-over-la-fires\/\" title=\"Spencer Pratt spins residence accusation into jab at Bass over LA fires\">recent polling cited<\/a> in the piece shows Platner leading Collins by about 9 points in a hypothetical matchup, and Gov. Janet Mills previously exited the race in April, making Platner the presumptive Democratic nominee.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\">Democratic Party<\/a> could replace <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\">Maine<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/senate\/\">Senate<\/a> candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner<\/a> on the general election ballot if he wins the primary and subsequently quits before a specific date, according to state law.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A candidate \u201cnominated for an office at a primary election\u201d can withdraw by 5 p.m. of the second Monday in July preceding the general election, under <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/statutes\/21-a\/title21-Asec374-A.html\">a Maine statute<\/a>. The state Democratic Party committee may then \u201cmake a replacement nomination for the general election\u201d by 5 p.m. of the fourth Monday in July.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588537\/platner-wife-sexually-explicit-texts-aide\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Platner\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >wife raised sexually explicit texts<\/a> to Senate campaign aide<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4587335\/mamdani-endorses-democratic-socialist-over-adriano-espaillat\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mamdani endorses Democratic socialist over AIPAC-backed Adriano Espaillat in New York House race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4587442\/louisiana-pass-new-congressional-map\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Louisiana passes new congressional map<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If Platner wins the Democratic primary on June 9, the statute provides Democrats with a potential path to replace him in the Maine Senate race against incumbent Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME). Platner would have to voluntarily withdraw his name on or before July 13, potentially in response to calls from Democrats for him to step aside, before the party could nominate his replacement before the end of the month.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner found himself again embroiled in controversy Saturday after his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588537\/platner-wife-sexually-explicit-texts-aide\/\">campaign confirmed<\/a> that his wife told an aide last summer she was aware of sexual texts her husband had sent to \u201cseveral women.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/revolver-news-jan-6-protest-could-be-co-organized-by-govt\/\" title=\"Revolver News: Jan. 6 protest could be co-organized by govt.\">report raises questions<\/a> about Platner\u2019s future in the race as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress in November\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/midterm-elections\/\">midterm elections<\/a>. Platner originally came under fire last October after vulgar <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3856438\/ken-martin-graham-platner-posts-maine-senate\/\">social media comments surfaced<\/a>, and it was reported that he had a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3858840\/maine-senate-graham-platner-nazi-tattoo\/\">tattoo of a Nazi symbol<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner has been endorsed by Sens. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\">Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-VT) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elizabeth-warren\/\">Elizabeth Warren<\/a> (D-MA), though Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said Monday he finds Platner\u2019s \u201cNazi tattoo and his commentary about it personally disqualifying.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most recent polling shows Platner with a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4584311\/graham-platner-lead-susan-collins-9-points-maine-senate-poll\/\">9 percentage-point<\/a> lead over Collins in a theoretical matchup, who has held her seat since 1977. Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4549217\/janet-mills-drops-out-maine-senate-race-clearing-way-platner\/\">dropped out<\/a> of the race in April, making Platner the presumptive Democratic nominee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588537\/platner-wife-sexually-explicit-texts-aide\/\"><strong>GRAHAM PLATNER\u2019S WIFE RAISED SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXTS TO SENATE CAMPAIGN AIDE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Retired Army Special Forces officer and writer Mike Nelson wrote <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/ideas\/2026\/05\/democrats-graham-platner-tattoo\/687364\/\">an article on Friday<\/a> in <em>The Atlantic <\/em>that questioned why more Democrats haven\u2019t called out Platner.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner\u2019s populist, anti-establishment messaging has helped him rise to prominence in the state despite the personal controversies surrounding his candidacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats could replace Platner on Maine\u2019s ballot if he wins the primary and quits by mid-July<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3238,"featured_media":2608674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-9usdkwtgm-1778177032569-e1778179939287.jpg?1780179717&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32923,45119,44576],"class_list":["post-2608673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-democratic-party","tag-maine-politics","tag-state-elections"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-9usdkwtgm-1778177032569-e1778179939287.jpg?1780179717&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3238"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2608673"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2608677,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608673\/revisions\/2608677"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2608674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2608673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2608673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2608673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}