Article citing un-named insider on process:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/06/us/politics/who-would-replace-graham-platner-maine.html?unlocked_article_code=1.v1A.iM4y.eQFzT3W_7ioS&smid=url-share
There are lots of good options.
Succession fight is underway as calls mount for Graham Platner to drop out of Senate race
PBS
Jul 8, 2026 1:12 PM EDT
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/succession-fight-is-underway-as-calls-mount-for-graham-platner-to-drop-out-of-senate-race
....
"To the Democratic establishment: This is not your opening," said Joseph Geevarghese, who leads Our Revolution. The organization founded by Sanders backed and then withdrew its endorsement of Platner after the sexual assault allegation. The group said Tuesday that it was "rallying behind" another progressive contender, Troy Jackson, who announced he's "exploring" a candidacy....
One possible contender, Nirav Shah, the former director of Maine's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said Tuesday he was "evaluating" whether to join the race. Shah said he's been in contact with the Maine Democratic Party about ensuring a possible replacement process is based on "openness, transparency and robustness."
"Every single day that we don't have a nominee, and a process and a clear pathway for the nominee, is another day that we're letting Sen. Collins continue to get her message out," Shah told The Associated Press. "As of right now, it's not clear what the process will be."
Shah, who came in second in this year's Maine Democratic gubernatorial primary, added, "I want to give the party grace, because we're building this plane as we're flying it."
Maine's governor, Mills, who sought the Democratic Senate nomination but dropped out before the June 9 primary, could be considered as another contender. Mills was supported by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer but abandoned her campaign, saying she couldn't raise the money needed to compete.
Another possible replacement is Jackson, Maine's former state Senate President, who unsuccessfully ran to be the Democratic gubernatorial nominee earlier this year with the backing of Platner and Sanders. Jackson filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission Tuesday to launch a Senate exploratory committee.
"Remember: Progressives overwhelmingly won the primary. A progressive MUST be on the ballot," Our Revolution said in a fundraising email, which described Jackson as a logger and union leader who helmed Sanders' past presidential efforts in Maine.
Jordan Wood, a former U.S. Senate candidate who then switched to unsuccessfully run for Maine's 2nd District, posted Tuesday that he was "continuing conversations" with voters about joining the race.
Other names circulating include Shenna Bellows, the current Maine Secretary of State; Dan Kleban, founder of Maine Beer Co.; and Hannah Pingree, currently Maine's Democratic gubernatorial nominee.
Bellows said in a statement she will "seriously consider entering this race."
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