Maine Democrats plan convention to replace scandal-hit Platner – US politics live

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The Maine Democratic party has voted to hold a convention after its Senate pick Graham Platner withdrew from the race following accusations of sexual assault.

Platner announced his decision in an 11-minute video posted to social media on Wednesday evening, in which he angrily accused the Democratic establishment and corporate media of “using these allegations to take away all of the things we need to run a campaign” and acting “as judge, jury and executioner”.

In the video, Platner vehemently stood by his assertion that the accusations were “not remotely true”, claiming they were driven by “large forces ... working against [him] personally”.

Now the Maine Democratic party, which by law is responsible for naming a replacement, has said it will move forward with holding a nominating convention to choose a new nominee. Potential contenders have already started making clear their interest, with a tight deadline of 27 July in place.

An array of Democrats have already expressed interest in the nomination. Troy Jackson, a former state senator who ran for governor earlier this year, quickly announced his candidacy shortly after Platner’s campaign suspension, as did Dan Kleban, the owner of Maine Beer Company who ran in the Senate primary before dropping out before the vote.

Other possible contenders include the Maine secretary of state, Shenna Bellows; former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Nirav Shah; state legislator Valli Geiger; and ex-congressional aide Jordan Wood.

“There is an unprecedented amount of energy and enthusiasm among Maine Democrats, driven in part by many of the dedicated volunteers and supporters who were inspired by Graham Platner’s campaign,” party officials said in a statement issued less than an hour before Platner suspended his campaign.

“We look forward to coming together and harnessing that energy around our new nominee as we work to defeat Susan Collins in November.”

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