{"id":2626950,"date":"2026-07-08T19:26:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T23:26:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-could-run-to-replace-graham-platner\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T19:27:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T23:27:35","slug":"who-could-run-to-replace-graham-platner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-could-run-to-replace-graham-platner\/","title":{"rendered":"Who could run to replace Graham Platner?"},"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\">14<\/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%2Fwho-could-run-to-replace-graham-platner%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=2626950&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>A few Democrats have expressed interest in replacing scandal-plagued Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner following <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>.Several candidates, including Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban, former state senator Troy Jackson, Secretary of state Shenna Bellows, and others like Nirav Shah and Jordan Wood, have shown interest or been considered as potential replacements. Platner has not officially withdrawn but is reflecting on his future after <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >allegations surfaced accusing<\/a> him of sexual misconduct and removing condoms without consent. The Maine Democratic Party has stated that if Platner drops out by July 13, a transparent selection process will be followed too choose his replacement. Public opinion polling indicates Platner is trailing behind incumbent Senator Susan Collins, and Democratic strategists suggest focusing on recent primary voters and well-known statewide candidates for support. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about who might ultimately succeed Platner in the race.  <\/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 handful of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrat\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"475\">Democrats<\/a> have rushed to express their interest if scandal-ridden <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"193\">Maine<\/a> Democratic Senate nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22643\">Graham Platner<\/a> drops out amid <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sexual-assault\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"143\">sexual assault<\/a> allegations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The six Democrats who have floated themselves as a possible candidate all either hold elected office or previously ran in a Democratic primary last month.<\/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\/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 rejects claim he helped recruit Platner<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4640522\/democratic-party-limited-options-graham-platner-maine-senate-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats have limited leverage to get Graham Platner out of Maine Senate race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maine Beer Company Founder Dan Kleban, who briefly ran for the seat last year, announced his interest in replacing Platner in a statement Wednesday afternoon.<\/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\">\u201cOver the next two weeks, we need an open, transparent process to select our nominee,\u201d he wrote. \u201cI\u2019m ready to fight for Mainers and bring a new generation of leadership to Washington. I believe I can unite our party and finally defeat Susan Collins in November.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrat Troy Jackson, who finished third in last month\u2019s gubernatorial primary and is a former state senator, said he was \u201cvery, very interested\u201d in replacing Platner, arguing that \u201cI am the best person\u201d to do so, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BenKail\/status\/2074293990199820346\">according to<\/a> <em>Bangor Daily News<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who lost to Collins in 2014, has expressed interest after losing the Democratic primary for governor earlier this year. <\/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\">\u201cI will seriously consider entering this race, because I believe I am uniquely fit to unite Mainers and defeat Susan Collins,\u201d Bellows wrote in a statement. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nirav Shah, who placed second in this year\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/haley-campaign-tells-voters-trump-would-allow-russian-victory-in-new-ad\/\" title=\"Haley campaign warns of &#039;Russian victory&#039; under Trump in new ad\">crowded gubernatorial race<\/a>, said he was considering a run <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DafwT_ekWCT\/\">in a social media post Tuesday<\/a>. Nirav oversaw the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention during COVID-19 before going on to be the principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Biden administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRight now, our number one priority must be defeating Senator Susan Collins,\u201d Shah wrote. \u201cI have been having conversations with my wife, my team, and Mainers across the state about what comes next and evaluating whether I should enter the Senate race.\u201d<\/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\">Former chief of staff to ex-Rep. Katie Porter, Jordan Wood, is another who could be a top contender. He initially ran for the Senate nomination before dropping the bid and running to replace retiring Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), but lost his House primary. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am continuing conversations with voters across Maine if I should enter an open Senate race,\u201d Wood <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JordanWood\/status\/2074535379051655255?s=20\">wrote on X<\/a>. \u201cIf 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 your trust.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">State Rep. Valli Gieger, one of Planter\u2019s most vocal allies, claimed he is supporting her to be his replacement.<\/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\">\u201cHe said \u2018Valli you are a fighter, you have been with this movement since the beginning\u2019,\u201d 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 local outlet in a phone call.<\/a> She went on to say Platner asked if he could put her name forward and that she was interested. A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/igorbobic\/status\/2074946293827293312?s=20\">Platner campaign spokesperson <\/a>said he has not made any decisions on an endorsement. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A poll, reported by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/07\/08\/graham-platner-polls-replacements-senate-00990664\"><em>Politico<\/em><\/a>, commissioned by Platner\u2019s team on possible replacements showed Platner trailing Collins after the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lincoln-project-received-32-million-in-free-media-from-cnn-msnbc-since-weaver-scandal-broke\/\" title=\"Lincoln Project Received  Million in Free Media from CNN, MSNBC Since Weaver Scandal Broke\">scandal broke<\/a>. Jackson performed the best in the survey, leading Collins 49% to 44%. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think, most interestingly, you just had a very competitive primary for the 2nd district, you just had a very competitive primary with top tier people for the governor\u2019s race, in which you know a couple folks whose names are within the lens of speculation\u2014Nirav Shah, Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows,\u201d Democratic strategist Jon Reinish told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em> \u201cThousands of people just voted for them, they just ran statewide campaigns, probably smart to look there.\u201d<\/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\">Democrats on Capitol Hill and beyond began calling for Platner to drop out of the race after a <em>Politico<\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/07\/06\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-allegation-00987737\">  report<\/a> detailing allegations from a woman who previously dated Platner said he sexually assaulted her while severely intoxicated five years ago. A separate report came forward just a day later when a former girlfriend of Platner came forward with allegations that he would remove condoms during sex without her consent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4639595\/the-democrat-adopting-gop-spending-playbook\/\">MEET THE DEMOCRAT ADOPTING THE GOP\u2019S SPENDING PLAYBOOK<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner hasn\u2019t withdrawn but said he was taking time to \u201creflect\u201d on his campaign\u2019s \u201cbest path forward\u201d in a video shortly after the latest allegations dropped.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Maine Democratic Party said in a statement Monday that in the event Platner drops out, the selection process will be \u201copen, transparent, and inclusive\u201d and not \u201cselected by an individual campaign.\u201d Under Maine law, if Platner drops out by July 13, the state party chooses the replacement. It\u2019s not currently clear how the party would go about doing that.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats vie to replace scandal-hit Maine Senate nominee<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2626951,"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\/image-collage-gtuarv1u9-1783543338314-e1783543468292.jpg?1783532388&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50402,5894,9676],"class_list":["post-2626950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-leadership-2","tag-politics","tag-succession"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-collage-gtuarv1u9-1783543338314-e1783543468292.jpg?1783532388&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626950","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\/3691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2626950"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2626954,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626950\/revisions\/2626954"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2626951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2626950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2626950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2626950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}