Who is running to replace Graham Platner?

Several Maine Democrats have jumped at the opportunity to replace candidate Graham Platner, the populist Democrat who suspended his Senate campaign following sexual assault allegations and a slew of other controversies. Platner announced his campaign suspension Wednesday in an 11-minute video shared on social media in which he denied the allegations that he sexually assaulted […]

Several Maine Democrats have jumped at the opportunity to replace candidate Graham Platner, the populist Democrat who suspended his Senate campaign following sexual assault allegations and a slew of other controversies.

Platner announced his campaign suspension Wednesday in an 11-minute video shared on social media in which he denied the allegations that he sexually assaulted his former partner and blamed the “political establishment” for forcing his exit from the race.

Due to Platner’s exit, the Maine Democratic Party now has until 5 p.m. on July 27 to select a candidate to replace his name on the ballot in the challenge to unseat Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).

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While the oyster-farmer-turned candidate has urged the state party to “open” the nominating system, the Maine Democratic Party has signaled that Platner will not have a say in his replacement.

A handful of Democrats who previously ran for the seat and other offices have said they are in the race. Other names have popped up as possible replacements, but the individuals have yet to confirm they are seeking the role.

Dan Kleban

Kleban, the co-founder of the Maine Beer Company who briefly ran for the Maine Senate seat last year, announced his plan to replace Platner before the former candidate even announced his exit.

Dan Kleban, a co-owner of the Maine Beer Company, poses in the company’s tasting room on May 7, 2015, in Freeport, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

In a social media post five hours prior to Platner officially announcing his campaign suspension, Kleban said he spoke with his family and decided to throw his hat in the ring.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the countless calls from Mainers encouraging me to consider this race,” Kleban said. “I love Maine and everything it has given me. It’s where my wife of 22 years and I have raised our teenage twins. And after talking with them, I’m in.”

Troy Jackson

Jackson finished third in the gubernatorial primary last month and has served in the state’s Senate. The logger had said he was “interested” in replacing Platner and officially launched a campaign Wednesday, following Platner’s suspension announcement.

Troy Jackson speaks to reporters at a campaign event Friday, June 5, 2026, in Bar Harbor, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

“I’ve been fighting for that movement my whole life — and I’m sure as hell not backing down now, when this fight is needed most,” Jackson said in a social media post. “I’m in. And we’re going to defeat Susan Collins. Maine deserves a Senator that will fight for working families.”

A poll commissioned by Platner’s team and obtained by Politico on possible replacements showed Platner falling behind Collins after the scandal broke. Jackson performed the best in the survey, leading Collins 49% to 44%. 

Jordan Wood

Wood, the former chief of staff to ex-Rep. Katie Porter of California, also ran for the Senate seat but dropped out of the race. Wood then ran to replace retired Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) but lost in the House primary.

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GRAHAM PLATNER SUSPENDS SENATE CAMPAIGN AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS

Wood officially announced he would enter the Senate race Wednesday, framing his revived campaign as “fighting to get big money out of politics and corruption in Washington.”

Nirav Shah

Another candidate shifting races is Shah, who previously ran in the state’s gubernatorial contest and placed second. Shaw announced he’s joining the race to be selected by the state party to replace Platner.

Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks at a news conference, April 28, 2020, in Augusta, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Nirav oversaw the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic before becoming the principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the Biden administration.

“We must defeat Susan Collins, hold Donald Trump accountable, and fight for a government that delivers for everyday Mainers, not the privileged few,” Shah said in a social media post Thursday. “That’s why today, I am proud to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate.”

Other possible candidates

While four candidates have officially declared their campaigns, several other Democrats are also possible candidates.

Among them is close Platner ally and state Rep. Valli Gieger, who told Maine’s Total Coverage that she had spoken with Platner about entering the race. Gieger claimed that Platner said he would back her, but a campaign spokesperson said Platner has not made any endorsements.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who previously ran a gubernatorial campaign, also expressed interest in running for the seat but has not made an official commitment. Bellows ran for Senate in 2014 but fell to Collins.

MAINE DEMOCRATS VOTE TO HOLD NOMINATING CONVENTION AFTER PLATNER EXITS SENATE RACE

“I will seriously consider entering this race, because I believe I am uniquely fit to unite Mainers and defeat Susan Collins,” Bellows wrote in a statement.

Exiting Gov. Janet Mills previously ran against Platner in the race for the Democratic nomination, but she dropped out before the primary when Platner surged in the polls. Mills, 78, had the backing of House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) but has not announced a campaign revival and previously said she would serve only one term if elected.

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