Graham Platner makes it official in Maine, submitting paperwork to leave Senate race

Elections

Saige Miller

Now-former Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at his primary election night event on June 9 in Blue Hill, Maine. Platner officially dropped out of the race July 10 following rape allegations from a former romantic partner that he denies. CJ Gunther/Getty Images hide caption

Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic nominee for Senate, is officially out of the race.

The Maine Secretary of State said Platner filed the necessary paperwork to withdraw his candidacy two days after he announced he planned to do so following an accusation of rape by a former romantic partner. Platner denies the allegation.

The Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to pick Platner's replacement.

In his withdrawal notice, Platner said "people are desperate for change" and that's why they voted "for a new kind of politics" by making him the Democratic nominee. He expressed gratitude for those who supported his campaign and said that he will continue to fight for "the movement we have built together and the future we believe in."

He ended his notice with a strong statement aligned with the progressive platform.

"F*ck ICE. Free Palestine. Up the Hearts."

A crowd of supporters reacts to the news that Graham Platner has won the Democratic U.S. Senate primary during an election watch party in Blue Hill Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Kevin Bennett/Maine Public hide caption

A crowd of supporters reacts to the news that Graham Platner has won the Democratic U.S. Senate primary during an election watch party in Blue Hill Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Kevin Bennett/Maine Public hide caption