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Succession fight under way as Bernie Sanders calls for Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race – US politics live

Platner said he intended to withdraw from the Senate race while denying the allegations against him.

Succession fight under way as Bernie Sanders calls for Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race – US politics live
Image · The Guardian

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Outlet credibilityThe Guardian84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 4, 2026
Jul 8, 2026
tl;dr

Graham Platner said he would withdraw as the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, denying sexual assault allegations, and Troy Jackson announced he would seek the nomination. Maine Democrats said they would hold a convention if the vacancy is confirmed.

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Democratic Senate nominee who said he would withdraw

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Maine Senate candidate seeking the Democratic nomination

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

Possible replacement candidate in the Senate race

Mayra Flores
Former U.S. Representative (R-TX)

Former representative and candidate seeking to return to Congress

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican senator and likely opponent of the Democratic nominee

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose comments on the allegations and other political issues were reported

Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Kentucky senator whose hospitalization was discussed

Possible replacement candidate in the Senate race

Maine secretary of state and possible Senate candidate

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator who had backed Platner

Dan Kleban
D · ME

Possible replacement candidate in the Senate race

Former Democratic primary candidate who signaled he might reenter

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader who criticized US strikes on Iran

Maine governor and former Democratic Senate candidate

Joyce Beatty
D · OH-3

Representative who brought a lawsuit concerning the Kennedy Center

ALSO MENTIONED  Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky who requested an update on McConnell’s condition; Devon Murphy-Anderson, Maine Democratic Party executive director; Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas who ordered an investigation of a hospital; Joe Gruters, Republican National Committee chairman; Mark Rutte, NATO secretary general mentioned during Trump’s remarks about Iran; Patrick Dempsey, Maine native who ruled out running for Senate; Valli Geiger, Maine lawmaker whom Platner reportedly encouraged to consider running; Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine mentioned during Trump’s remarks about Iran

Part of a bigger story

20 OUTLETS
Bernie Sanders Calls on Graham Platner to Leave Senate Race

Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign drew criticism, and Bernie Sanders had supported his candidacy. Right-leaning outlets focus on Sanders’s role in backing Platner and the consequences for progressive politics; one emphasizes Democratic campaign strategy, while another assigns responsibility to Sanders and other progressives.

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