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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Platner in Senate race

Bellows is among the Democrats being considered as a possible replacement candidate.

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

Maine Democrats are weighing replacements for Graham Platner after he suspended his Senate campaign, with Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah and Dan Kleban announcing bids and Shenna Bellows among those considering one. The party plans to choose an alternative nominee by July 27.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

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Potential Democratic candidate for the Senate nomination

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic candidate for the Senate nomination

Jackson's version of this story ↗
Dan Kleban
D · ME

Democratic candidate for the Senate nomination

Kleban's version of this story ↗
Nirav Shah
D · ME

Democratic candidate for the Senate nomination

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

Maine senator and potential opponent of the Democratic nominee

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

Former president whose administration tapped Shah for a federal health role

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Vermont senator who campaigned alongside Jackson

Suspended Democratic Senate campaign

Maine governor who previously brought her preferred candidate into the Senate primary

ALSO MENTIONED  Hannah Pingree, Winner of the gubernatorial election referenced in the ranked-choice discussion; Valli Geiger, Maine state representative and potential Senate candidate

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Maine Democrats Consider Senate Candidates After Platner Suspends Campaign

Outlets agree that Graham Platner suspended his Senate campaign and Maine Democrats are considering replacements. Shenna Bellows is among the possible contenders. Left-leaning outlets frame the choice around Democrats’ ability to unite and defeat Susan Collins. Center outlets describe the potential contenders and emphasize the party’s July 27 deadline to choose a nominee.

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