Maine Democrats will hold a debate on Thursday night to select a replacement for former Senate candidate Graham Platner, who withdrew following a sexual assault allegation. The four candidates—Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former state Senate President Troy Jackson, former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah, and former congressional aide Jordan Wood—will compete for the nomination at a July 25 convention. The party faces a July 27 deadline to place a new candidate on the ballot.
The debate, hosted by News Center Maine, will air statewide on WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2. Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, won the primary after Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign but withdrew amid the allegations, which he denies. The race comes as immigration policy and federal law enforcement are in focus after an ICE officer fatally shot a man in Biddeford, prompting protests and calls for an independent investigation.
Abortion rights are also shaping the race, with Democrats highlighting Sen. Susan Collins' 2018 vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who later joined the majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Collins, a moderate Republican, has faced criticism for her stance on abortion and healthcare. The candidates have until Wednesday to file for the nomination, with 601 delegates set to vote on July 25.
Platner's campaign emphasized anti-establishment policies, including universal healthcare, higher taxes on the wealthy, and stronger union protections. His departure has left Democrats scrambling to rally around a new nominee in a race seen as crucial to their chances of retaking the Senate.