Maine Democrats Scramble for Senate Candidate After Platner Drops Out

Politico — Congress—Maine's Democratic Party was thrown into disarray after Senate candidate Graham Platner announced he was "suspending" his campaign following a growing scandal, setting off a race to find a replacement before the ballot deadline. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows quickly launched a Senate bid, becoming the most prominent entrant in the crowded field. Patrick Dempsey, the actor, confirmed he would not run despite being floated as a potential pick. The Maine House speaker urged party leaders to let voters decide rather than anoint a successor, while congressional support for Platner visibly crumbled. Commentators debated whether Democrats would learn from Platner's stumbles ahead of a competitive midterm cycle.

• Politico — Congress — Hill support for Platner collapses amid the widening scandal
• Politico — Congress — Bellows officially files to enter the Maine Senate race
• New York Post — News — Trump says it will be very hard for Democrats to replace Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner
• NPR — Politics — Party weighs its options as the ballot replacement deadline looms
• The Independent (UK) — Maine Democrats in full scramble following Platner's dramatic departure from the race
• Politico — Democrats move away from Platner as congressional support evaporates
• HuffPost — Trump Says Graham Platner Allegations Come Down To Whether You ‘Believe The Woman’
• Mother Jones — Graham Platner Says He’s Out. Now What?
• Washington Times — Actor Patrick Dempsey rules out Maine Senate run after Platner campaign collapse
• PBS NewsHour — Patrick Dempsey rules out a Senate run as Democrats cast about for a Platner successor
• The Hill — Home News — Graham Platner’s exit in Maine: 5 lessons Democrats could learn
• HuffPost — Politics — Trump Says Graham Platner Allegations Come Down To Whether You ‘Believe The Woman’
• ABC News — Politics — Several Democrats have already raised their hands to replace Platner on the ballot
• NBC News — Politics — Maine House speaker tells national party leaders to stay out of the replacement process
• NBC News — Party operatives in a "mad dash" to secure a replacement before the filing cutoff
• Zeteo — First Draft: Will Platner Drop Out?
• Washington Examiner — Duckworth calls for Maine Senate candidate to drop Platner replacement bid over 2015 actions
• The Intercept — Graham Platner’s Exit From Senate Race Leaves Maine Dems “Hobbled” in Scramble for New Nominee
• New York Magazine — Platner Is Gone — Now What? Live Updates
• RealClearPolitics — End of the Platner Saga?
• RealClearPolitics — Platner Was a Mistake. Democrats Won't Learn From It
• The Bulwark — Trump, Platner, and the Mistake America Keeps Making
• The Hill — A Maine state lawmaker says Platner personally encouraged her to take his place on the ballot
• The Hill — Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announces her Senate candidacy
• The Hill — Live updates: Trump flies on old Air Force One over security concerns; Maine Democrats seek Platner successor
• The Nation — Maine Democrats Must Replace Graham Platner Now
• National Review — A Sniveling Graham Platner Torches the Democrats on His Way Out of Their Party
• Daily Wire — Here’s Who Democrats Could Pick To Replace Graham Platner
• Breitbart — Maine Democrats Vote to 'Hold a Nominating Convention' to Replace Graham Platner
• Breitbart — Maine House Speaker: People Overlooked Past Platner Allegations Due to 'Frustration'
• ABC News — WATCH: Democrats search for Maine Senate candidate after Graham Platner suspends campaign
• Axios — Platner announced he was "suspending" his Senate bid but did not formally withdraw
• PBS NewsHour — Democrats search for Maine Senate candidate after allegations force Platner out
• PBS NewsHour — Who will replace Graham Platner on the ballot? 7 Democrats to watch
• Associated Press — Who will replace Platner on the Maine ballot? These Democrats are raising their hands