Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, withdrew his candidacy on July 10, 2026, after filing paperwork with the secretary of state to remove his name from the November ballot. The withdrawal followed his public announcement two days earlier and came amid allegations of sexual assault and previous controversies involving social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi emblem. In a letter posted on social media, Platner thanked supporters and called for continued populist activism, noting he received more than 156,000 votes in the June 9 primary. He denied the allegations, saying they were false and part of a Democratic establishment effort to undermine his campaign. Maine Secretary of State confirmed the filing; state party executive director Devon Murphy‑Anderson said the allegations were credible. Several potential Democratic nominees, including former state senator Troy Jackson, secretary of state Shenna Bellows, and former CDC director Nirav Shah, are vying for the nomination before a July 27 deadline. The party must select a new candidate to challenge incumbent Republican Susan Collins, a key target for Democrats seeking Senate control.