Graham Platner's Campaign: a Swift Ascent and Decline
WHO:
The Guardian - Shenna Bellows stated, “I’m running for United States Senate, and together we are going to defeat Susan Collins.”
The Guardian - Ro Khanna endorsed Troy Jackson for US Senate in Maine, stating, “He’s for Medicare for All, opposes foreign wars, and will be for workers over billionaires.”
Fox News - Jen Psaki described Graham Platner's political career as "enraging for all of us" during her show, stating, "It is an end to what has been an unpredictable, incredibly tumultuous, at times fascinating, simply because of the political story and, ultimately deeply enraging political career for Graham Platner."
Fox News - Lyndsey Fifield revealed that she suspected Graham Platner's friendly text in 2025 was to gauge if she would be a liability for his campaign.
The Guardian - Shenna Bellows, the Maine Secretary of State, announced her candidacy to replace Platner as the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine.
The Guardian - Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California, endorsed Troy Jackson for US Senate in Maine, stating, “I am all in for Troy Jackson to continue the populist progressive movement in Maine.”
CNN - Barbara Boxer stated, “I still feel the way I do about Susan Collins, but I can’t support Graham Platner based on what’s come out.”
CNN - Genevieve McDonald, Platner's former political director, criticized his campaign video as “petulant and conspiratorial.”
CNN - Jenny Racicot, a woman who accused Platner of rape, stated that he entered her home without permission and raped her while he was heavily intoxicated nearly five years ago.
The Guardian - Shenna Bellows announced her candidacy to replace Platner as the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine, stating, “I’ve spent my entire career taking on tough fights for working people, and I’m not stopping now.”
The Guardian - Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California, endorsed Troy Jackson for US Senate in Maine, stating, “He’s for Medicare for All, opposes foreign wars, and will be for workers over billionaires.”
CNN - Barbara Boxer stated, “I still feel the way I do about Susan Collins, but I can’t support Graham Platner based on what’s come out.”
CNN - Genevieve McDonald, Platner's former political director, criticized his campaign video as “petulant and conspiratorial.”
The Guardian - Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California, endorsed Troy Jackson for US Senate in Maine, stating, “I am all in for Troy Jackson to continue the populist progressive movement in Maine.”
The Guardian - Shenna Bellows announced her candidacy to replace Platner as the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine.
The Guardian - Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California, endorsed Troy Jackson for US Senate in Maine.
CNN - Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate from Maine.
CNN - Barbara Boxer, former U.S. Senator from California.
CNN - Jenny Racicot, a woman who accused Platner of rape.
CNN - Troy Jackson, former state Senator and potential candidate to replace Platner.
CNN - Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator and Platner supporter.
Fox News - Jen Psaki, host of MS NOW.
The Guardian - Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State and candidate to replace Platner.
WHAT:
The Guardian - A poll conducted by Z to A Research found the potential contest between Shenna Bellows and Susan Collins at 47%-47%.
The Guardian - Platner is planning to file the official paperwork to end his Senate campaign on July 13.
CNN - Platner's campaign reached out to Barbara Boxer to inquire if her op-ed supporting him should still be published after the allegations surfaced.
CNN - Platner's campaign manager, Ben Chin, accused the state party of allowing the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to plan a potential nominating process behind closed doors.
The Guardian - Platner is planning to file the official paperwork to end his Senate campaign on July 13, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Guardian - A poll conducted by Z to A Research found the potential contest between Shenna Bellows and Susan Collins at 47%-47%.
CNN - Platner announced he was suspending his campaign after allegations of sexual assault surfaced.
CNN - Platner's campaign manager, Ben Chin, accused the state party of allowing the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to plan a potential nominating process behind closed doors.
CNN - Platner's campaign video was released to coincide with an all-hands staff video conference call, where he thanked his staff but did not apologize.
The Guardian - Platner is planning to file the official paperwork to end his Senate campaign on July 13, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Guardian - A poll conducted by Z to A Research found the potential contest between Shenna Bellows and Susan Collins at 47%-47%.
CNN - Platner's campaign reached out to Boxer to inquire if her op-ed supporting him should still be published after the allegations surfaced.
CNN - Platner's campaign manager, Ben Chin, accused the state party of allowing the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to plan a potential nominating process behind closed doors.
The Guardian - The Maine Department of the Secretary of State stated that “no official withdrawal notice has yet been received” from Graham Platner as of Thursday morning.
The Guardian - Platner is planning to file the official paperwork to end his Senate campaign on Monday, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Guardian - A poll conducted by Z to A Research found the potential contest between Shenna Bellows and Susan Collins at 47%-47%.
CNN - Platner announced he was suspending his campaign after allegations of sexual assault surfaced.
CNN - Platner's campaign reached out to Boxer regarding an op-ed she had drafted supporting him.
CNN - Platner won 72% of the primary vote in a previous election.
The Guardian - Platner must officially withdraw from the race by July 13 at 5pm ET for Democrats to finalize a replacement candidate.
The Guardian - Democrats have until July 27 at 5pm ET to select a new nominee after Platner's withdrawal.
WHERE:
CNN - Maine, where Platner was running for Senate.
The Guardian - The Maine Department of the Secretary of State.
WHEN:
The Guardian - Platner must officially withdraw from the race by July 13 at 5pm ET for Democrats to finalize a replacement candidate.
The Guardian - Democrats have until July 27 at 5pm ET to select a new nominee after Platner's withdrawal.
The Guardian - Platner must officially withdraw from the race by July 13 at 5pm ET for Democrats to finalize a replacement candidate.
The Guardian - Democrats have until July 27 at 5pm ET to select a new nominee after Platner's withdrawal.
The Guardian - Platner must officially withdraw from the race by July 13 at 5pm ET for Democrats to finalize a replacement candidate.
The Guardian - Democrats have until July 27 at 5pm ET to select a new nominee after Platner's withdrawal.
The Guardian - Platner must officially withdraw from the race by July 13 at 5pm ET for Democrats to finalize a replacement candidate.
The Guardian - Platner is planning to file the official paperwork to end his Senate campaign on July 13.
The Guardian - Platner is planning to file official paperwork to end his Senate campaign on July 13.
The Guardian - The deadline for Platner to officially withdraw is July 13 at 5pm ET.
The Guardian - Democrats have until July 27 at 5pm ET to present a new candidate.
WHY:
CNN - Some Democrats expressed concerns that Platner's campaign was built by consultants who thought they were kingmakers, leading to its downfall.
CNN - Some Democrats expressed concerns that Platner's campaign was built by consultants who thought they were kingmakers, leading to its downfall.
CNN - Allegations of sexual assault against Platner led to a loss of support and calls for him to step down.
CNN - Some Democrats expressed concerns that Platner's campaign was built by consultants who thought they were kingmakers, leading to its downfall.
The Guardian - Shenna Bellows, who announced her candidacy to replace Platner, stated, “The people of Maine have been building something real – a movement that deserves to go all the way to November.”
The Guardian - Bellows stated, “the people of Maine have been building something real – a movement that deserves to go all the way to November.”
CNN - Allegations of sexual assault against Platner led to a loss of support and calls for him to step down.
CNN - Platner's past controversies, including social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, contributed to his campaign's decline.
HOW:
CNN - The Maine Democratic Party voted to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate, but details about when it will be and how the process will unfold are still being decided.
CNN - The Maine Democratic Party voted to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate, but details about when it will be and how the process will unfold are still being decided.
CNN - The Maine Democratic Party voted to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate, but details about when it will be and how the process will unfold are still being decided.
CNN - The Maine Democratic Party voted to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate, but details about when it will be and how the process will unfold are still being decided.
The Guardian - The Maine Democratic Party voted Wednesday to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate, but details about when it will be and how the process will unfold are still being decided.
CNN - Platner's campaign video was released to coincide with an all-hands staff video conference call, where he thanked his staff but did not apologize.
The Guardian - Maine’s deputy secretary of state for communications, Jana Spaulding, stated that a candidate must formally withdraw to the Elections office in writing, including a signature.
CNN - Platner announced his campaign suspension via an 11-minute video, where he denied the allegations and expressed defiance.
CNN - The Maine Democratic Party voted to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate.
(UPDATED July 10, 2026 16:41 UTC)
Shenna Bellows has announced her candidacy for the United States Senate, promising to defeat Susan Collins, while Ro Khanna has endorsed Troy Jackson, highlighting his support for Medicare for All and workers' rights. A recent poll shows Bellows and Collins in a dead heat at 47% each, and Platner is set to officially withdraw from the race on July 13, which is crucial for Democrats to finalize a replacement candidate. Following Platner's withdrawal, the Maine Democratic Party will have until July 27 to select a new nominee, with plans for a nominating convention still in the works.
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(UPDATED July 10, 2026 13:37 UTC)
Jen Psaki described Graham Platner's political career as "enraging for all of us," highlighting its unpredictable and tumultuous nature during her Fox News show. Meanwhile, Platner's campaign reached out to Barbara Boxer to see if her supportive op-ed should still be published in light of recent allegations, while campaign manager Ben Chin accused the state party of planning a potential nominating process behind closed doors. In response to growing concerns about the campaign's direction, the Maine Democratic Party voted to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate, although the details of the event are still being finalized.
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(UPDATED July 10, 2026 11:52 UTC)
Shenna Bellows, the Maine Secretary of State, has announced her candidacy to replace Platner as the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine, while Democratic representative Ro Khanna from California has endorsed Troy Jackson for the same position. Platner is set to file official paperwork to end his Senate campaign on July 13, and a recent poll shows a tight race between Bellows and Susan Collins, each at 47 percent. The Maine Democratic Party is planning a nominating convention to select a new candidate, with details about the process still being finalized, and they have until July 27 at 5pm ET to choose a replacement after Platner's withdrawal.
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(UPDATED July 10, 2026 10:05 UTC)
In a significant development, Graham Platner has announced he is suspending his campaign following serious allegations of sexual assault, including a claim from Jenny Racicot, who accused him of entering her home without permission and raping her while intoxicated nearly five years ago. Barbara Boxer expressed her inability to support Platner, while his former political director, Genevieve McDonald, criticized his campaign video as “petulant and conspiratorial.” Meanwhile, the Maine Democratic Party has voted to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate, with details about the process still being finalized.
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(UPDATED July 10, 2026 08:06 UTC)
Shenna Bellows has officially announced her candidacy to replace Platner as the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine, emphasizing her commitment to fighting for working people. Meanwhile, Democratic representative Ro Khanna has endorsed Troy Jackson for the same position, highlighting his support for Medicare for All and workers' rights. Platner is set to file the official paperwork to end his campaign on July 13, and the Maine Democratic Party is working on the details for a nominating convention to select a new candidate by July 27.
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(UPDATED July 10, 2026 01:25 UTC)
In a recent statement, Barbara Boxer expressed her inability to support Graham Platner amidst emerging allegations, despite her previous support for Susan Collins. Platner's former political director, Genevieve McDonald, criticized his campaign video as “petulant and conspiratorial,” while his campaign manager, Ben Chin, accused the state party of secretly planning a potential nominating process with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Concerns have been raised among some Democrats that Platner's campaign was undermined by consultants who believed they were kingmakers, which may have contributed to its struggles.
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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 22:22 UTC)
Democratic representative Ro Khanna from California has thrown his support behind Troy Jackson for the US Senate in Maine, emphasizing his commitment to the populist progressive movement. Meanwhile, the Maine Department of the Secretary of State has confirmed that no official withdrawal notice has been received from Graham Platner, although he plans to file the necessary paperwork to end his campaign on Monday, ahead of the July 13 deadline for Democrats to finalize a replacement candidate. Shenna Bellows, who is vying to replace Platner, expressed that the people of Maine are creating a meaningful movement that deserves to reach the November elections.
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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 20:34 UTC)
Shenna Bellows has officially announced her candidacy to replace Platner as the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine, while Democratic representative Ro Khanna has endorsed Troy Jackson for the same position. A recent poll by Z to A Research shows a tight race between Bellows and incumbent Susan Collins, with both candidates tied at forty-seven percent. Platner is set to file the official paperwork to end his Senate campaign on July 13, and Maine’s deputy secretary of state for communications has noted that a candidate must formally withdraw in writing to the Elections office.
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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 19:25 UTC)
Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner from Maine has announced he is suspending his campaign following allegations of sexual assault, which have led to a significant loss of support. He plans to file official paperwork to withdraw from the race by July 13 at 5pm ET, and the Maine Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate by July 27 at 5pm ET. Platner's past controversies, including troubling social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, have further complicated his situation.