Maine Democrats nonetheless have time to switch Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner earlier than the November third midterm elections — however the window for a switch-a-roo is closing quick.
On Monday, POLITICO dropped a bombshell report from the Democratic candidate’s ex-girlfriend claiming he entered her house uninvited after which raped her nearly 5 years in the past.
Platner denied the alleged sexual assault, however mentioned he’s “aware” of the political actuality and is “taking the time to replicate on the very best path ahead.”
The report follows Platner quietly canceling a number of Maine Senate marketing campaign occasions.
Democrats must win the Maine Senate race and defeat GOP incumbent Susan Collins for an actual shot at successful again the Senate majority. Maine nonetheless has an opportunity to dump Platner and select a brand new Democratic nominee — so long as Platner decides to drop out by July 13.
Beneath Maine election guidelines, the Democratic Celebration could make a swap just like the change from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris within the 2024 presidential election — with the candidate not having to win any main.
If Platner withdraws by July 13 at 5 p.m., get together officers can decide a brand new candidate.
The deadline to decide on the substitute candidate is 5 p.m. on July 27, giving Democrats two weeks to determine on their finest backup candidate to run within the basic election marketing campaign.
This might give the brand new candidate 99 days to marketing campaign — eight days shorter than Harris’ sudden 2024 presidential run.
In keeping with Maine Statue, it doesn’t handle how a substitute candidate could also be chosen, however says that the candidate filling the emptiness should be a “certified individual.”
One Maine resident posted on X that he obtained a survey by textual content on Monday — earlier than the POLITICO report was launched — asking a couple of substitute candidate for Platner.
The survey shared that “some have prompt that Democrat Brian Bryant will step in to switch Platner on the poll” and requested respondents to reply who they’d vote for between Collins and Bryant, a labor union official, and about Maine election legal guidelines. There was no indication of who was sponsoring the textual content within the survey.
One other identify floating round for substitute is Troy Jackson — a progressive Democrat — who ran for Maine governor however misplaced and is a former state senator. Jackson obtained endorsements from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for his gubernatorial run.
Gov. Janet Mills is another choice, however Platner soundly defeated her within the main.
As of Monday, Platner remains to be the Democratic nominee, and the Democratic Celebration has not said any plan to swap Platner as their candidate. Nonetheless, it’s anticipated that some lawmakers will rethink their endorsements of the Senate hopeful.
Khanna withdrew his endorsement and known as for him to drop out two hours after the report got here out.
“These allegations are very critical and credible,” Khanna wrote on X. “Graham Platner ought to drop out from the race.”
A Fox Information ballot, performed June 23-27 — occurring earlier than the sexual assault claims however after different allegations arose — Collins is forward of Platner by three factors, 50 to 47%
Platner beforehand has misplaced confidence from Democrats after ex-girlfriends reported alleged women-hating conduct from him, leaked sexting scandals, previous offensive Reddit posts and a now-covered up tattoo that resembles a Nazi image.
