The Democratic Party could replace Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner on the general election ballot if he wins the primary and subsequently quits before a specific date, according to state law.
The question arose after Platner again found himself embroiled in controversy Saturday. His campaign confirmed that his wife told an aide last summer she was aware of sexual texts her husband had sent to “several women.” Since then, other top Democrats have voiced their concerns over the candidate and his mounting baggage.
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If the party was to push him to leave the race, there’s a path to do so even after he wins the June 9 primary. A candidate “nominated for an office at a primary election” can withdraw by 5 p.m. of the second Monday in July preceding the general election, under a Maine statute. The state Democratic Party committee may then “make a replacement nomination for the general election” by 5 p.m. of the fourth Monday in July.
Platner would have to voluntarily withdraw his name on or before July 13, before the party could nominate his replacement before the end of the month. It’s not clear who might step into the race in his place if Platner did bow out, but Rep. Jared Golden is a well-known name in the state, and is not seeking reelection to the House of Representatives.
The report raises questions about Platner’s future in the race as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections. Platner originally came under fire last October after vulgar social media comments surfaced, and it was reported that he had a tattoo of a Nazi symbol.
Platner has been endorsed by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), though Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said Monday he finds Platner’s “Nazi tattoo and his commentary about it personally disqualifying.”
The most recent polling shows Platner with a nine percentage-point lead over Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in a theoretical matchup, who has held her seat since 1977. Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) dropped out of the race in April, making Platner the presumptive Democratic nominee.
GRAHAM PLATNER’S WIFE RAISED SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXTS TO SENATE CAMPAIGN AIDE
Retired Army Special Forces officer and writer Mike Nelson wrote an article on Friday in The Atlantic that questioned why more Democrats haven’t called out Platner.
Platner’s populist, anti-establishment messaging has helped him rise to prominence in the state despite the personal controversies surrounding his candidacy.
