Maine Democrats Debate Replacing Graham Platner in Senate Race

Maine Democrats held their first debate Thursday as candidates compete to replace Graham Platner as the party’s nominee for U.S. Senate.

Eight candidates took part in the debate, hoping to convince party delegates they are best positioned to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the November election.

The first hour featured four candidates who previously ran in other primary contests this year: former public health official Nirav Shah, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and former Capitol Hill staffer Jordan Wood.

Shah pointed to his strong performance in the gubernatorial primary, Jackson highlighted his record in the Maine Senate, Bellows focused on her efforts involving the 2024 presidential ballot, and Wood argued he could offer voters a clear break from Platner’s campaign.

The second hour featured four lesser-known candidates, including Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban, who previously entered the race before stepping aside after Gov. Janet Mills launched her campaign.

The debate underscored the challenge Democrats face in replacing Platner, who gained national attention and became a strong challenger to Collins before ending his campaign following allegations of rape, which he has denied.

Candidates also addressed Platner’s progressive positions, including healthcare, immigration enforcement, and the Israel-Gaza conflict, while avoiding direct criticism of one another.

The fatal shooting of Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by an ICE officer in Biddeford also dominated discussion. Several candidates criticized ICE, with some calling for the agency to be abolished and others calling for reforms.

The Democratic nominee will be selected during a July 25 convention involving 601 delegates from across Maine.

A second debate is scheduled for July 23, hosted by CNN in partnership with the Bangor Daily News.