{"id":2626116,"date":"2026-07-07T14:29:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T18:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/progressives-rush-to-find-platner-alternative\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:30:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T18:30:25","slug":"progressives-rush-to-find-platner-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/progressives-rush-to-find-platner-alternative\/","title":{"rendered":"Progressives rush to find Platner alternative"},"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\">12<\/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%2Fprogressives-rush-to-find-platner-alternative%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=2626116&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 race to replace Graham Platner on the Maine Senate ballot is facing turbulence amid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-one-in-six-biden-voters-would-have-changed-their-vote-if-they-had-known-about-scandals-suppressed-by-media\/\" title=\"Poll: One In Six Biden Voters Would Have Changed Their Vote If They Had Known About Scandals Suppressed By Media\">sexual assault allegations<\/a> against Platner, prompting liberals to seek a progressive replacement and warning Schumer to stay out of the selection process. Several Democrats, including Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah, and others, are exploring bids to fill the vacancy, with Jackson gaining significant support from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/radical-soros-backed-san-francisco-da-chesa-boudin-poised-to-be-ousted\/\" title=\"Radical Soros-Backed San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin Poised to Be Ousted\">progressive figures<\/a> like Bernie Sanders.Platner has indicated he might withdraw only if replaced by someone with similar views. Meanwhile,controversy over Platner\u2019s past and recent scandals has led to widespread criticism,with some groups emphasizing the need to maintain a progressive platform. The situation has prompted discussions about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-political-strategist-america-has-been-governed-by-boomers-for-decades-its-time-for-younger-faces\/\" title=\"Top Political Strategist: America Has Been Governed By \u2018Boomers\u2019 For Decades, It\u2019s Time For Younger Faces\">party nominations<\/a>,with some Democrats questioning federal intervention and others calling for open and transparent processes. If Platner departs, Maine Democrats will have limited time to nominate a new candidate ahead of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-jim-jordan-gives-ultimatum-on-the-upcoming-electoral-college-showdown-video\/\" title=\"WATCH: Jim Jordan Gives Ultimatum On The Upcoming Electoral College Showdown (VIDEO)\">ballot deadline<\/a>, while Republicans are preparing to capitalize on the scandal. Schumer\u2019s involvement and potential support remain uncertain, and the overall race highlights the ongoing ideological and strategic divisions within Maine\u2019s Democratic Party.  <\/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 early jockeying to replace <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner<\/a> on the ballot in Maine is coming with a warning from liberals who want Senate Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY) to play no part in choosing his successor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner\u2019s expected withdrawal, sparked by a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637616\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-maine-senate\/\">bombshell report<\/a> alleging sexual assault, has the Left rushing to find a replacement who embraces the same platform that voters rewarded in the Democratic primary last month, with several eyeing Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).<\/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\/4638675\/platner-fallout-warren-endorsement-embarrassment\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Platner fallout adds to Warren\u2019s endorsement embarrassments<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4638950\/troy-jackson-moves-forward-maine-senate-bid-replace-graham-platner\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Troy Jackson files exploratory bid to replace Graham Platner<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4632641\/sanders-breaks-silence-calls-on-graham-platner-quit-senate-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Sanders breaks silence and calls on Graham Platner to quit Senate race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Front of mind for them is how Schumer fought to displace Platner, and early progressive calls for him to drop out were paired with open hostility toward Schumer\u2019s involvement in the Maine Senate race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adam Green, cofounder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, wants the Maine Democratic Party to promise that Platner\u2019s \u201cmandate will be honored.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNot allow crusty insiders like Chuck Schumer an establishment do-over,\u201d Green told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our Revolution, an outside group founded by Sanders, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/OurRevolution\/status\/2074297302022275504?s=20\">released a statement<\/a> warning that the sexual assault allegations, which Platner denies, were not an invitation to coalesce around a more centrist alternative.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTo the Democratic establishment: this is not your opening,\u201d the group stated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The attacks come as Platner tries to steer the nomination to someone who shares his progressive worldview. An aide <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/peterbakernyt\/status\/2074284013955453051?s=20\">told<\/a> the <em>New York Times<\/em> on Monday that he would consider dropping out, but only with a \u201cguarantee\u201d that he would be replaced by someone ideologically similar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our Revolution is reportedly preparing an endorsement for Jackson in the Senate race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s at this point unlikely that Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), Schumer\u2019s original choice for the nomination, will be selected after her campaign floundered in the primary against Platner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the scandal engulfing Platner\u2019s candidacy has invited a who\u2019s who of Maine Democrats to float their names for the nomination, some of whom are more liberal than others.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nirav Shah, who ran as a centrist in Maine\u2019s governor race, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nirav_maine\/status\/2074512934684811618?s=20\">confirmed<\/a> Tuesday morning that he was exploring a Senate bid and called for an open process, including at least one televised debate. Under Maine law, it is up to the state Democratic Party to choose an alternative <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4638055\/platner-bombshell-democrats-maine-ballot-deadline\/\">if Platner drops out by next week\u2019s ballot deadline<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other possible entrants include Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Jordan Wood, who ran unsuccessfully for one of Maine\u2019s two House seats this cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As for Jackson, he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2026\/07\/07\/politics\/elections\/troy-jackson-exploring-graham-platner-replacement\/\">filed the paperwork for a run<\/a> on Tuesday and has stoked the most interest on the Left. He <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/2026-primary-elections\/maine-governor-results\">polled competitively<\/a> against Shah and Bellows in last month\u2019s gubernatorial primary and previously had the support of Sanders, a progressive kingmaker who broke his silence Tuesday and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4632641\/sanders-breaks-silence-calls-on-graham-platner-quit-senate-race\/\">called on Platner to withdraw<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), another major Platner backer, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RoKhanna\/status\/2074288378552455396?s=20\">appeared to endorse<\/a> Jackson on Monday night. A website to \u201cdraft Troy\u201d also appeared online by Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Should Platner withdraw from the race, it\u2019s not clear which candidate Schumer might support in his place. He\u2019s gravitated toward Democrats with a record of performing well statewide, and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >party leaders fear nominating<\/a> someone too far outside the mainstream in Maine, one of the top Senate battlegrounds of the 2026 cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The state went for Vice President Kamala Harris by 7 points in 2024 but has rewarded Sen. Susan Collins\u2019s (R-ME) brand of center-right politics since the 1990s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Schumer, who steers millions in outside spending through a constellation of PACs, threatened to freeze all investments in Maine unless Platner ends his campaign, but has otherwise stayed silent on the jockeying.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest name to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596159\/golden-rules-out-replacing-platner-on-ballot-amid-scandals\/\">rule out a return to the campaign trail<\/a> at this point is Jared Golden, a retiring House Democrat who represents a Trump-won district in Maine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shah, meanwhile, has sought to elevate his profile over the last 24 hours and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Robillard\/status\/2074294238259319285?s=20\">notably posted<\/a> that he supports popular positions on the Left, including Medicare for All.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A shake-up in the Senate race would give Democrats a largely clean slate after months of negative headlines about Platner\u2019s Nazi-linked tattoo and inflammatory social media posts. But Republicans are already laying the groundwork to associate the eventual nominee with Platner, highlighting his attempt to negotiate a replacement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4638055\/platner-bombshell-democrats-maine-ballot-deadline\/\"><strong>PLATNER BOMBSHELL LEAVES DEMOCRATS SCRAMBLING DAYS BEFORE MAINE BALLOT DEADLINE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Democrat candidate in Maine will either be an alleged rapist with a Nazi tattoo, or someone he selects with the same \u2018values and vision,&#8217;\u201d Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Platner withdrawal from the race would give Maine Democrats two weeks to choose someone else to challenge Collins this fall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maine Democrats seek new candidate after Platner scandal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2626117,"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\/07\/AP26161072143571_092fa3-e1783444645417.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[82350,36270,82351,11763],"class_list":["post-2626116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-platner-alternative","tag-political-strategies","tag-progressive-movement","tag-progressives"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26161072143571_092fa3-e1783444645417.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626116","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\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2626116"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2626120,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626116\/revisions\/2626120"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2626117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2626116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2626116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2626116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}