{"id":2627558,"date":"2026-07-09T20:03:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T00:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/platner-adviser-assures-maine-candidate-will-file-paperwork-to-withdraw\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T20:03:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T00:03:35","slug":"platner-adviser-assures-maine-candidate-will-file-paperwork-to-withdraw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/platner-adviser-assures-maine-candidate-will-file-paperwork-to-withdraw\/","title":{"rendered":"Platner adviser assures Maine candidate will file paperwork to withdraw"},"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\">20<\/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%2Fplatner-adviser-assures-maine-candidate-will-file-paperwork-to-withdraw%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=2627558&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>Morris Katz, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/indiana-gop-senator-mike-braun-announces-hes-running-for-governor\/\" title=\"Indiana GOP Senator Mike Braun Announces He\u2019s Running For Governor\">senior political adviser<\/a> to Graham Platner, expressed disappointment after allegations of sexual assault led to Platner dropping out of the Maine Senate race. Katz stated that upon learning of the rape allegations, they advised Platner to suspend his candidacy and worked to end his campaign. Platner had been under scrutiny for past questionable behavior, including allegations of sexual assault from former partners, which resulted in many Democrats withdrawing their support. Despite denying the accusations publicly and announcing his withdrawal, Platner had not yet filed the official paperwork to exit the race, prompting speculation he might not meet the deadline. The Maine Democratic Party plans to hold a convention to select a replacement candidate by July 27. Throughout the controversy, Katz was also involved in internal campaign disputes and was reportedly accused of threatening a former staffer over story disclosures. The situation has caused frustration among Democrats, highlighting internal conflicts within the campaign amid the scandal.  <\/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\">Morris Katz, a senior political adviser to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22643\">Graham Platner<\/a>, said he was \u201cdeeply disappointed\u201d when he learned of the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >sexual assault allegations leveled<\/a> against the U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> candidate in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"193\">Maine<\/a> that led to him dropping out of the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs soon as the team became aware of the rape allegations against Graham Platner we advised he suspend his candidacy, and in the following days worked to wind down the campaign,\u201d Katz <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/katz_morris\/status\/2075324235363283195\">said<\/a> Thursday. \u201cLike so many of his supporters, I\u2019m deeply disappointed.\u201d<\/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\/4643203\/republicans-prepare-new-battle-plan-platner-baggage-senate-switch-out\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Senate Republicans prepare new battle plan after Platner switch-out<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4643166\/democrats-maine-senate-race-installing-candidate-soviet-style-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats will install a candidate \u2018Soviet style\u2019 again in Maine: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4643069\/planned-parenthood-47-million-campaign-swing-races-abortion-top-midterm-focus\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Planned Parenthood\u2019s $47 million campaign in swing races aims to make abortion top midterm focus<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Katz was seen <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596773\/graham-platner-rise-mamdani-moraff-katz-fan\/\">as a key figure<\/a> in Platner\u2019s rise throughout the primary season, and has worked on other successful Democratic campaigns, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani\u2019s.<\/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\">\u201cWithin, like, five minutes I was thinking, \u2018Holy s***, this guy can help save the Democratic Party,\u2019\u201d Katz told <em>Politico<\/em> of Platner before the scandal dropped.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner has been <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4597477\/four-scandal-maine-senate-candidate-graham-platner\/\">dogged by allegations<\/a> of questionable behavior throughout his campaign, but was taken out when an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637616\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-maine-senate\/\">ex-girlfriend leveled accusations of sexual assault<\/a> against him in a <em>Politico<\/em> report Monday. Many Democrats who had stood by him as he defended his tattoo of Nazi imagery and other reports of threatening behavior toward women soon <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637999\/khanna-gallego-pull-platner-endorsements\/\">rescinded their endorsements <\/a>of Platner, and it was assumed he\u2019d be dropping out of the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He made the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4638358\/graham-platner-suspends-maine-senate-campaign\/\">official announcement Wednesday evening<\/a>, rejecting the allegations and saying, \u201cThis was the last week to try to get me off of the ballot, and that\u2019s why this is occurring.\u201d<\/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\">In the few days between the allegations being made public and his dropping out, various reports arose that people high in his campaign were attempting to hold sway over how the process would play out when Platner did eventually drop out. Katz was reported to be one of the campaign advisers <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/07\/us-news\/accused-rapist-graham-platner-lists-demands-to-dems-as-he-weighs-dropping-out-of-maine-senate-race\/\">pushing the party to allow Platner greater say<\/a> in who would replace him. Katz rebutted the report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response to previous allegations from a separate ex-girlfriend that arose ahead of the primary, Katz reportedly threatened a former staffer if she cooperated with outlets on the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJust want to be clear on where we are right now,\u201d Katz wrote in the message, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2026\/05\/31\/politics\/top-graham-platner-adviser-threatened-former-aide-over-sexting-stories\/\">according to<\/a> the <em>Bangor Daily News<\/em>. \u201cIf the story goes in its current iteration we<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/graham-platner-tackles-scandal-with-familiar-strategy-deny-distract-attack\/\" title=\"... tackles scandal with familiar strategy: Deny, distract, attack\">\u2019ll communicate directly<\/a> on the record, and by name, that Genevieve violated the personal trust of Amy and Graham and shared explicit falsehoods to sabotage the campaign.\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\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4643042\/democrats-fume-bernie-sanders-graham-platner-maine-senate-race\/\">DEMOCRATS FUME AT BERNIE SANDERS FOR ENABLING GRAHAM PLATNER\u2019S RISE IN MAINE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite Platner releasing a video stating he\u2019ll drop out of the race, he has not filed the official paperwork yet, leading to speculation he wouldn\u2019t adhere to the deadline of Monday at 5 p.m. to do so. However, Katz replied to a social media user affirming Platner would indeed submit the paperwork.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs he gonna submit the paperwork, Morris?\u201d user Ben Yelin <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/byelin\/status\/2075332431448584438?s=20\">wrote<\/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\">\u201cYes,\u201d Katz responded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After Platner files the paperwork, the Maine Democratic Party has said it will hold a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4641710\/maine-democrats-nominating-convention-platner\/\">nominating convention<\/a> to determine Platner\u2019s replacement. They have until July 27 at 5 p.m. to name the Democrat who will face Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in the general election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<p><\/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<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Katz was disappointed after allegations against Platner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2970,"featured_media":2627559,"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\/GettyImages-2282421446.jpg?w=594","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[7462,4076,9148,5894,8050],"class_list":["post-2627558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-advisor","tag-candidate","tag-maine","tag-politics","tag-withdrawal"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282421446.jpg?w=594","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627558","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\/2970"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2627558"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627558\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2627562,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627558\/revisions\/2627562"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2627559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2627558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2627558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2627558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}