{"id":2626915,"date":"2026-07-08T18:12:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T22:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maine-lawmaker-says-platner-urged-her-to-run-for-senate-if-he-exits\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T18:13:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T22:13:25","slug":"maine-lawmaker-says-platner-urged-her-to-run-for-senate-if-he-exits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maine-lawmaker-says-platner-urged-her-to-run-for-senate-if-he-exits\/","title":{"rendered":"Maine lawmaker says Platner urged her to run for Senate if he exits"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/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%2Fmaine-lawmaker-says-platner-urged-her-to-run-for-senate-if-he-exits%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=2626915&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>maine State Rep. Valli Geiger revealed that Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner privately encouraged her to run in his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kimberly-clark-to-buy-tylenol-maker-kenvue-for-48-7-billion\/\" title=\"Kimberly-Clark to buy Tylenol maker Kenvue for .7 billion\">place amid ongoing controversy surrounding<\/a> his campaign. Platner has not officially endorsed anyone and has only expressed gratitude to Geiger for her support. He is considering stepping aside due to allegations of inappropriate behavior, including accusations from women and a recent rape claim by an ex-girlfriend, which threaten his campaign to challenge Senator Susan collins. Meanwhile, Troy Jackson has also expressed interest in replacing Platner if he withdraws and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >showed stronger polling results<\/a> for such a move. The Maine Democratic party has urged Platner to step down and is working on a process to select a new nominee, as he has refused to formally exit the race. The controversy comes amidst wider discussions about the candidate&#8217;s past posts, allegations, and declining support, complicating one of the nation&#8217;s closely watched Senate races.  <\/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\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\">Maine <\/a>state Rep. Valli Geiger on Wednesday said Democratic Senate nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner <\/a>privately nudged her to seek to replace him if he suspended his bid for office as his campaign remains embroiled in controversy. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Geiger<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wmtw.com\/article\/valli-geiger-graham-platner-supporting-her-senate-race-maine\/71871349\"> told<\/a> WMTW that Platner called her Monday evening and threw his support behind her, saying, \u201cValli, you are a fighter, you have been with this movement since the beginning.\u201d Geiger said Platner then asked if he could put her name forward, and she said yes. Geiger said Platner also supports former state Sen. Troy Jackson and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows as candidates to succeed him as the party\u2019s standard-bearer<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.midcoastvillager.com\/news\/politics\/geiger-says-she-is-willing-to-seek-u-s-senate-seat\/article_7778479e-a4ae-47a0-b468-0fcb8a9b3f74.html\"> in comments <\/a>to <em>Midcoast Villager<\/em>, saying she would gladly step back for those candidates if needed.<\/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\/senate\/4641359\/who-could-run-replace-graham-platner-shenna-bellows-troy-jackson-nirav-shah\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Who could run to replace Graham Platner?<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4640953\/republicans-tie-battleground-democrats-to-graham-platner\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Republicans tie battleground Democrats to Graham Platner<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4640955\/nebraska-senate-hopeful-dan-osborn-rejects-claim-he-helped-recruit-platner\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Nebraska Senate hopeful Dan Osborn decries Platner but won\u2019t urge him to quit<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After Geiger\u2019s comments, Platner\u2019s campaign noted he hadn\u2019t made a public endorsement. The development comes as it is viewed as increasingly likely that Platner could step aside to make way for a more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mitt-romney-to-join-susan-collins-oppose-neera-tanden-confirmation\/\" title=\"Mitt Romney To Join ..., Oppose Neera Tanden Confirmation\">viable candidate<\/a> after several women have come forward accusing him of inappropriate behavior, including one ex-girlfriend who alleged he raped her on Monday, threatening to derail his campaign. <\/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\">\u201cHe\u2019s not made any decision on endorsing. Graham called Valli to thank her for her support and encouraged her to consider running if he stepped down,\u201d Platner\u2019s campaign <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/igorbobic\/status\/2074946293827293312?s=46\">told<\/a> <em>NOTUS<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Geiger has represented\u00a0House District 4, which includes Rockland and part of Owls Head, since 2020.\u00a0She was a strong supporter of Platner in the primary and has emphasized that she would fight to preserve his progressive economic and healthcare policy goals, such as \u201cMedicare for All.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am in to protect that platform, to protect that movement,\u201d she <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2026\/07\/08\/politics\/elections\/dan-kleban-valli-geiger-join-field-to-replace-graham-platner\/\">told <\/a>the <em>Bangor Daily News<\/em>. <\/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\">Jackson, a former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/waffle-arizona-house-speaker-claims-they-cant-enforce-constitution-wont-commit-to-calling-legislative-hearing\/\" title=\"WAFFLE: Arizona House Speaker Claims They Can...t Enforce Constitution, Won...t Commit To Calling Legislative Hearing\">state senator<\/a> who lost last month\u2019s Democratic primary for Maine governor,<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4638366\/troy-jackson-calls-graham-platner-drop-out-maine-senate-race\/\"> has also put himself forward <\/a>to replace Platner on the ticket should he drop out. In polling Platner\u2019s campaign conducted Tuesday to see which possible replacement candidate has the best chance of flipping the Senate seat in November, Jackson performed best, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/07\/08\/graham-platner-polls-replacements-senate-00990664\">according to<\/a> <em>Politico<\/em>. Unlike Geiger, Jackson has sought to put more distance between himself and Platner, telling NBC News that he doesn\u2019t want the candidate\u2019s endorsement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate, but I just don\u2019t want it,\u201d Jackson said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner is a progressive who was endorsed by prominent socialists such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) before a series of his years-old Reddit posts, allegations of inappropriate behavior, and a Nazi tattoo bled support for the Marine veteran, threatening to destabilize his campaign. The debacle occurred as he is\u00a0engaged in one of the toughest Senate races in the country, targeting Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in a seat that Democrats had viewed as one of their best bets nationwide to flip blue.<\/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\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4639595\/the-democrat-adopting-gop-spending-playbook\/\"><strong>MEET THE DEMOCRAT ADOPTING THE GOP\u2019S SPENDING PLAYBOOK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Maine Democratic Party urged Platner to step aside after Jenny Racicot came forward on Monday with claims that he raped her. Platner has denied all allegations and refused so far to step aside, though he released a video following Racicot\u2019s claims announcing that he was taking a break from the campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Wednesday, the Maine Democratic Party issued <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MaineDems\/status\/2074922078319288751\">a statement<\/a> saying it is \u201cfocused on developing a representative, transparent and inclusive process to select a new nominee when he chooses to withdraw from the race.\u201d The statement also sought to appeal to Platner\u2019s supporters, though it expressed frustration \u201cwith Graham Platner\u2019s continued efforts to manipulate this process.\u201d <\/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<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Valli Geiger says Platner privately urged her to replace him<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2626916,"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\/AP26157015248142_966c34.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3673,9148,5894],"class_list":["post-2626915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-lawmakers","tag-maine","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26157015248142_966c34.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626915","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\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2626915"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626915\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2626919,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626915\/revisions\/2626919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2626916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2626915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2626915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2626915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}