Maine hopefuls jump into Senate race after Platner exit 

A growing number of Maine Democrats have announced bids for the Senate after candidate Graham Platner announced Wednesday he would be suspending his campaign in light of mounting allegations of sexual misconduct and assault — accusations he has denied.  

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban both quickly announced they would be jumping into the race to battle Sen. Susan Collins (R) in the fall.

“It’s time for a new generation of leadership in Washington, one that’s not beholden to the establishment that has failed us time and again,” Kleban said in a Wednesday afternoon post on Substack — before Platner’s exit.

“I’m in,” Jackson wrote in a post on the social platform X, arguing that “Maine deserves a Senator that will fight for working families.” 

They were soon followed by Nirav Shah, a former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and former congressional candidate Jordan Wood, as they both announced Thursday they would also be joining the burgeoning Democratic field.

“This race is not about one person or one seat. It is about........

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