The Maine Democratic Party has announced its strategy to find a replacement for Graham Platner, who stepped down from his Senate race after facing allegations of sexual assault. The party aims to complete the selection process quickly – within just three weeks of Mr. Platner’s departure.
If everything goes according to plan, the new Democratic nominee will have nearly 100 days to campaign against Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins in what promises to be one of the tightest Senate races during the midterms.
It’s uncommon to replace a Senate candidate, and the rules can differ by state and timing. Here’s how the Maine Democratic Party intends to choose Mr. Platner’s successor.
July 15: Candidacy deadline
Twelve Democrats have come forward as candidates. Nine of them who expressed their intent to run by Tuesday were invited to participate in a debate organized by News Center Maine on Thursday.
During the debate, candidates sought to channel Mr. Platner’s grassroots enthusiasm while distancing themselves from his actions and criticized Ms. Collins for aligning with President Trump on various matters. They also dedicated significant time denouncing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Maine following a tragic shooting incident in Biddeford on Monday.
July 18-19: County meetings
Each of Maine’s 16 counties will hold a meeting this weekend, either in person or online, aiming to select a total of 500 delegates for the state convention on July 25. The delegates won’t be tied to any specific candidate, but many have already shown their preferences.
Thousands of residents across Maine have signed up as delegate candidates or participants for these meetings.
Each county will choose an assigned number of delegates based on how many Democratic votes were cast during the 2024 presidential election there. Cumberland County, which includes Portland – the largest city in Maine – will elect the highest number of delegates.
The Maine Democratic Party will also contribute another 101 delegates from its state committee.
Cumberland County: 149 delegates
Democratic State Committee: 101
July 20: Signature deadline
Senate candidates must collect at least 500 signatures with no fewer than 50 signatures coming from at least eight different counties.
July23 : Debate
Two days beforethe stateconvention , CNN and The Bangor Daily Newswill hosta two-hourdebate. Therewillbe alive audience thatincludes somecountydelegates.
July25 : State convention
Delegateswill gatheratthe conventionin Bangor tovotefor thenomineetoreplace Mr. Platner.Votingwilltake placeinroundsuntilonecandidate securesamajority. Here’showthatvotingprocesscould unfold.
The Maine Democratic Partymustsubmitthenominee’snameto Shenna Bellows, Maine’ssecretaryofstate, before July27. Ms. Bellows isalsoamongthecandidatesreplacing Mr. Platner.
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