Top Contender To Replace Graham Platner In Maine Senate Race Drops Out

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on Sunday said she was dropping out of the Maine Senate Democratic primary to replace Graham Platner on November’s ballot.

“Today I am withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race. Donald Trump’s attacks on our democracy are only accelerating, and the best way that I can serve our state and country at this moment is by focusing exclusively on my role as Secretary of State,” Bellows said.

“This has been an unprecedented nominating process, compressed into days instead of months, and I’m grateful to every volunteer who worked around the clock for this movement. That energy is exactly what we need to beat Susan Collins in November — and Democrats don’t have a day to waste in unifying around that shared goal,” she continued.

The most important thing we can do in this moment is unite to defeat Susan Collins. With that in mind, I’m leaving the senate race. Statement below. pic.twitter.com/KGKOlENfPZ

— Shenna Bellows (@shennabellows) July 19, 2026

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The Hill shared further:

Bellows, who previously ran for Senate in 2014, was vying to replace Graham Platner, who dropped out of the race following several scandals that made national headlines.

Platner was accused of rape by two women, allegedly had a tattoo that resembled a Nazi Totenkopf and made remarks online deemed as racist in previous years.

Democrats in Maine held a debate for potential nominees to outline their credentials to serve in the Senate following Graham’s departure from the race.

It’s a part of their special nomination process that will conclude on July 25 after 601 delegates vote to select the new Democratic nominee.

Bellows’s decision to remain as secretary of State means she will preside over the midterm elections in Maine as the state’s chief election official.

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Physician Nirav Shah, a former top public health official in the state, also announced his exit from the race.

Shah endorsed former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson for the nomination.

“Thank you, Nirav, for your commitment to Maine and for bringing so many new people into this process. I appreciate your support and your endorsement. Now it’s time for all of us to come together, build the broadest possible coalition, and defeat Susan Collins. Let’s get to work,” Jackson said.

Thank you, Nirav, for your commitment to Maine and for bringing so many new people into this process. I appreciate your support and your endorsement. Now it's time for all of us to come together, build the broadest possible coalition, and defeat Susan Collins. Let's get to work. https://t.co/qWA20z6sDr

— Troy Jackson (@TroyJackson207) July 19, 2026

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NBC News has more:

Jackson’s slate of delegates captured nearly all of the slots up for grabs in Saturday’s county meetings and continued that streak on Sunday. Those delegates are not required to support Jackson at the convention, even if they were elected as part of his slate.

Jackson expressed confidence on Sunday morning at a rally with his supporters outside the York County meeting.

“Yesterday was an unbelievable huge step, but our work is not finished — not even close,” Jackson said, noting more counties were voting on Sunday.

But he sounded like a likely nominee.

“Every candidate and every supporter deserves our respect, because this moment, I know for a fact, is way bigger than any one candidate, certainly, is way bigger than I have ever been,” Jackson said. “And a lot of people poured their hearts in this movement, before I even entered this race.”

Jackson later hinted at a winnowing field, telling reporters at the county meeting, “If we have a day like [Saturday], the rest of the candidates will drop out and we’ll just be getting the nomination next week.”

Jackson said he had heard from a couple candidates who expressed their “congratulations.” He said they “pretty much” suggested they would end their campaigns before the convention, but declined to say whom he spoke with.

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The post Top Contender To Replace Graham Platner In Maine Senate Race Drops Out appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

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