Graham Platner submitted paperwork to formally withdraw from Maine's U.S. Senate race, ending his campaign. He posted a letter to the secretary of state's office and on social media, saying he seeks to continue a politics that represents people rather than billionaires or the political establishment. Platner denied a sexual assault allegation that emerged two days earlier.

Maine is a key state for control of the Senate, and Democrats had been seeking a candidate able to defeat Republican Senator Susan Collins. State law permits Democrats to name a replacement before the general election, but the name must be submitted by July 27. More than 100 state Democratic committee members have approved a nominating convention to choose a new candidate, though the party has not announced a schedule.

Several candidates have announced runs, including former CDC director Nirav Shah, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson, Dan Kleban, Jordan Wood, Paige Loud, David Costello, Andrea LaFlamme, and state Representative Valli Geiger. The party has not responded to requests for comment, and the timeline for selecting a replacement remains unresolved.