Graham Platner, controversial Maine US Senate seat candidate, off ballot
Graham Platner, the controversial U.S. Senate candidate in Maine plagued by a sexual assault allegation that he denies, is officially out of the race, the Maine Secretary of State's Office confirmed Friday, July 10.
The state's confirmation that Platner asked to have his name removed from the ballot comes after the former candidate announced July 8 that he would be suspending his campaign. According to the secretary of state's office, Platner removed his name from the ballot in time for the Democratic party to choose a replacement candidate.
Platner shared his letter asking for his name to be removed from the ballot in a post on X without comment.
"On June 9th, 156,084 Mainers voted for a new kind of politics. One that is representative of people down here in the real world - not billionaires, oligarchs, or the political establishment," Platner said in the letter. "Over the past eleven months, thousands and thousands of Mainers poured their hearts, time, and talent into a movement to deliver that vision. I will be forever grateful to them."
He added: "In submitting this letter today, I seek to further the movement we have built together and the future we believe in."
According to state authorities, the Democrats have until July 27 to find a replacement for Platner. The secretary of state's office said it will soon announce how the party can put forward a new candidate in the high-stakes race where Democrats are aiming to win an elusive GOP-held seat.
Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and retired Marine, faced a broad chorus of calls from fellow Democrats to exit the race following a new allegation that he sexually assaulted an ex-girlfriend nearly five years ago. Platner has denied the accusation, saying any claims about "non-consensual behavior" are "categorically untrue."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Graham Platner, controversial Maine US Senate seat candidate, off ballot
Reporting by Michael Loria, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 2:40 PM.