Graham Platner has officially suspended his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Maine, the Maine Secretary of State's Office confirmed on Friday. Platner filed the necessary paperwork to withdraw before the 5 p.m. deadline on July 13, 2026, ensuring his name will not appear on the November ballot. The Maine Democratic Party now has until July 27 to select a replacement candidate, with plans to hold a nominating convention.

Platner announced the suspension of his campaign in an 11-minute social media video on Wednesday after a woman accused him of sexual assault. The accuser, Racicot, stated that she and Platner had a casual, consensual relationship beginning in 2019 but alleges that Platner came into her home against her wishes, advanced on her despite her refusals, and refused to use protection during an incident.

In his video, Platner said he learned about the allegations through press inquiries without time to respond or for investigations, criticizing the media and political establishment for acting as "judge, jury and executioner." The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) announced it would not invest in the race if Platner remained on the ballot, and the Senate Majority PAC redirected resources away from the Maine Senate race, limiting his campaign's viability.

The Maine Secretary of State's Office noted that state law does not specify how a party must choose a replacement candidate, only that the replacement must be a "qualified person."

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