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Home – Maine Politics & News – Graham Platner Ends Senate Campaign, Forcing Democrats to Pivot in Crucial Maine Race

Graham Platner Ends Senate Campaign, Forcing Democrats to Pivot in Crucial Maine Race

Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner of Maine on Wednesday promised to formally withdraw from the race, after a string of controversies including an accusation of sexual assault plunged one of the most competitive races in the 2026 midterm elections into turmoil.

The suspension by the former U.S. Marine, announced in a video posted on social media, is likely to complicate Democrats’ efforts to win control of the Senate in the Nov. 3 elections. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.

In the recorded video, Platner repeated his denial of the sexual assault accusation and said the effort to remove him from the ballot was fueled by his effectiveness in taking on the political establishment.

“For the movement to continue, it can’t be me, and for that reason we are suspending campaign operations,” Platner said. “This is incredibly difficult, because I know that some will think it’s an admission of guilt, and it most certainly is not.”

“I want to make clear, though, I intend to file my paperwork to withdraw,” he said.

Platner has until July 13 to formally withdraw from the race, at which point the state party would have until July 27 to select another nominee to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate Republican who has held the seat since 1997.

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