State Party to Hold Convention if Platner Quits Senate Race

Maine Democrats have pushed nominee to drop Senate campaign

By Newser Editors and Wire Services

Posted Jul 8, 2026 7:15 PM CDT

Copied

Maine Democrats Plan Convention if Platner Quits — Residents fill out their Maine primary ballots while voting in a hall often used for bingo on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Belfast, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

The Maine Democratic Party on Wednesday voted to hold a convention should Democratic nominee Graham Platner drop out of the state's US Senate race after being accused of sexual assault. The state party earlier in the day expressed irritation at what it called Platner's attempts to affect the process to replace him, which he's denied, and his apparent reluctance to officially announce he's dropping out. Charged by law with choosing a replacement, per the AP, the party announced it will move forward with holding a nominating convention to choose a new standard-bearer "if there is a vacancy to fill."

Read These Next

In-N-Out's order: take the photos down.
Trail Blazers fire new play-by-play announcer after 8 hours.
Vladimir Putin threatens NATO with the use of nukes.
Earth's driest desert has rare covering of wildflowers.

Report an error