Graham Platner Formally Withdraws From Senate Race With Profane Message To Democratic Establishment
Former Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has officially withdrawn from Maine‘s U.S. Senate race, filing the paperwork just days before the state’s deadline to allow Democrats to choose a replacement candidate for November’s election.
In his withdrawal letter, Platner thanked the more than 156,000 voters who supported him in the Democratic primary and defended the progressive platform that fueled his campaign, including Medicare for All, ending foreign wars, banning billionaire influence in politics, and protecting labor unions.
The letter ended with a profane sign-off directed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, followed by the phrases “Free Palestine” and “Up the Hearts,” drawing fresh attention on social media after Platner posted the document publicly.
Platner’s campaign unraveled after his former girlfriend accused him of raping her in 2021. He has repeatedly denied the allegation, calling it politically motivated, but the accusation prompted top Democrats—including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ro Khanna—to withdraw their support and urge him to leave the race.
Under Maine law, Platner’s withdrawal before the July 13 deadline allows the state Democratic Party to nominate a replacement candidate by July 27. Party leaders are expected to hold a convention later this month, with several prominent Democrats already expressing interest in the nomination. Potential contenders include former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah, businessman Dan Kleban, Jordan Wood, Paige Loud, and state Rep. Valli Geiger.
The unexpected vacancy creates a major challenge for Democrats as they try to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races. With the general election only months away, the party must quickly unite behind a new nominee while recovering from one of the most dramatic campaign collapses of the 2026 election cycle.
— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) July 10, 2026