Graham Platner officially drops out of the Maine Senate race [View all]

Source: NBC News

Jul. 10, 2026, 4:55 PM EDT


Embattled Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner on Friday officially dropped out of the race, paving the way for Democrats to select a new nominee just days before the deadline.

“I write to formally withdraw my candidacy for United States Senate,” Platner wrote in a letter to Maine’s division of elections that he shared on X. Maine’s Secretary of State office, which oversees elections, confirmed receipt of the letter.

Platner announced on Wednesday that he planned to withdraw from the race, but he had yet to file the necessary paperwork to do so with Maine’s Secretary of State.

Democrats have until July 27 at 5 p.m. to find a replacement that will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November in one of the nation’s most competitive Senate elections. Candidates must formally declare by July 15 at 5 p.m.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/graham-platner-officially-drops-maine-senate-race-rcna385842