Maine Democrats hold convention to replace Senate nominee

The Maine Democratic Party is scrambling to organize a nominating convention later this month to select a new U.S. Senate candidate after Graham Platner withdrew from the race. The party faces a July 27 deadline to name a replacement to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Platner announced his withdrawal on July 8 following a sexual assault allegation, which he denied. He has stated he will formally file the required paperwork to withdraw by 5 p.m. on July 13, a legal prerequisite for the party to proceed with selecting a new nominee. Following an emergency meeting, over 100 members of the party's state committee voted to hold a convention featuring approximately 600 delegates. The Waldo County Democratic Committee indicated the convention is likely to be held on July 25 or 26, probably in Bangor.

The delegate selection process is now underway at the county level. The convention will consist of 500 delegates elected proportionally by county committees, plus the 113-member state committee. County committees are scheduling local caucuses in the coming days where registered Democrats can put their names forward to be elected as delegates. These delegates will be unpledged,...