Democrat Graham Platner has announced his withdrawal from the race to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate. The decision follows the emergence of new allegations that he raped a woman he previously dated, accusations that Platner has formally denied.
Platner had previously secured the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat during a primary election held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Blue Hill, Maine. His departure leaves a significant vacancy in a race that the Democratic Party had been prioritizing as a potential pickup opportunity.
The latest episode of The NPR Politics Podcast explores how the Democratic Party arrived at this controversial nomination and assesses the political landscape moving forward for this critical Senate seat. The discussion features insights from senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Elena Moore, and Maine Public chief politics and government correspondent Steve Mistler.
This episode was produced by Bria Suggs, edited by Rachel Baye, and overseen by our executive producer Muthoni Muturi.
