Democrats in Maine gather to replace Graham Platner in the race against Susan Collins
Maine Democrats are preparing to nominate a new Senate candidate to replace Graham Platner, who withdrew following sexual assault allegations. Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president, has emerged as the front-runner to challenge Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
Why it matters
The Maine Senate race is a critical battleground for Democrats attempting to regain control of the U.S. Senate in the upcoming election.
Democrats are gathering in Bangor, Maine, on Saturday to formally nominate a new candidate for U.S. Senate, as the party looks to move past the scandal-plagued campaign of Graham Platner and refocus its sights on unseating longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
It's a Senate matchup with far-reaching political implications. Democrats need to net a total of four seats to win back control of the chamber this fall, and party officials see the contest in Maine as one of their best opportunities.
The race was thrown into turmoil earlier this month when Platner, the party's initial nominee, ended his campaign after a woman he previously dated came forward and accused him of raping her in 2021. Platner has denied the allegation, but it was the final straw for Democrats after months of controversy surrounding him.
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