While Graham Platner and his supporters have sought to influence who replaces him in Maine’s U.S. Senate race, prospective substitute candidates aren’t hungry for his endorsement.
The Post asked seven potential replacements whether they wanted Platner, a Democrat and oyster farmer who is under fire over a sexual assault allegation, to endorse them. Only one, Jordan Wood, responded. He said no.
“I am and have always been aligned with Graham on most issues, we’re both young progressive reformers, but I will not accept the endorsement of him personally,” Wood, a former chief of staff to Rep. Katie Porter (D-California) who ran to represent Maine’s 2nd Congressional District this year, said in a statement. He added that he would “welcome the endorsement and support of many of the progressive organizations and unions that supported him.”
Platner remains the Democratic nominee but is under significant pressure to withdraw from the race. His campaign staff was told Wednesday that he will speak at night on the future of his Senate bid, according to a Democrat close to him.
Some Platner supporters have insisted he deserves a say in choosing his successor. That has triggered blowback from other Democrats, who say his scandals — including a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol that he had covered up and sexually explicit text messages sent to other women after he married — have damaged the party’s chances of defeating longtime Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Yet Platner energized Democrats’ grassroots base in the state and received a record number of votes in his primary win, and candidates hope to channel his support.
Other Democrats who have expressed interest in the nomination — including Troy Jackson, a former state senator who ran for governor; Secretary of State Shenna Bellows; Nirav Shah, another former gubernatorial candidate; and Dan Kleban, a brewery owner — did not respond. Though Wood has not formally declared his candidacy, he said Tuesday that he is “continuing conversations with voters” about whether to enter the race.
Gov. Janet Mills, who lost the Democratic primary to Platner but has been quiet since news of his latest scandals, also did not respond to the question.
It’s important for any replacement Democratic nominee to distinguish themselves from Platner while not discounting the issues he highlighted that made him compelling to voters, said Ian Russell, a Democratic operative who works in Maine. Democrats can emphasize the themes of Platner’s campaign, including frustration with Washington and the political establishment, he said.
“Accepting an endorsement from him would be a very dangerous thing to do in a Senate race with very little margin for error,” Russell said. .
The race could be critical in determining control of the Senate after the November midterms. Republicans have a 53-47 advantage in the chamber, and Democrats are looking to Maine as one of their most promising opportunities to flip a seat.
Platner has been hemorrhaging support in recent days since Jenny Racicot, a former partner, accused him of having nonconsensual intercourse with her and another ex-girlfriend said he repeatedly removed protection without her consent while having sex. He has denied the allegations.
Key Platner supporters, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), have withdrawn their endorsements, and Senate Democrats’ campaign arm said it would spend no more money on the race if he is the nominee.
Platner has until Monday to withdraw from the race and allow another Democrat to replace him on the ballot. If he does so, the Maine Democratic Party would have two weeks to select a new nominee. The party has not said how it would do so.
Dan Merica and Alexei Koseff contributed to this report.