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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Platner in Senate race

Shah announced a Senate campaign and is described as a more moderate option among the Democrats considering the race.

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Platner in Senate race
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This article1 analysis · Oct 4, 2026
KCCI
Jul 9, 2026
tl;dr

With Graham Platner suspending his campaign, Maine Democrats are weighing alternatives to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, and the state party has until July 27 to select a nominee. Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah and Dan Kleban have announced Senate bids, while Shenna Bellows is also discussed as a possible contender.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Nirav Shah D · ME
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Shah in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Shah’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Nirav Shah
D · ME

Potential Democratic Senate nominee

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Dan Kleban
D · ME

Democratic Senate candidate

Kleban's version of this story ↗

Possible Democratic Senate contender

Bellows's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate

Jackson's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican senator and potential Democratic nominee’s opponent

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

Former presidential candidate whose 2024 ballot eligibility Bellows challenged

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator who campaigned alongside Jackson and Platner during Jackson’s gubernatorial run

Outgoing Democratic Senate nominee

Governor and former preferred Democratic Senate candidate

ALSO MENTIONED  Hannah Pingree, Winner of this year’s gubernatorial election; Valli Geiger, Maine state representative whom Platner encouraged to consider running

Part of a bigger story

15 OUTLETS
Maine Democrats Enter Senate Race After Platner Suspends Campaign

Graham Platner suspended his Senate campaign, and Nirav Shah is among the Democrats being discussed as a replacement in the race against Susan Collins. Left-leaning outlets emphasize coalition unity and whether successors will carry Platner’s progressive agenda, including scrutiny of Shah’s record. Center outlets focus on the replacement field, Shah’s candidacy and the party’s deadline for choosing a nominee.

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