Democrats Scramble After Platner Exit

Graham Platner's withdrawal from the Maine Senate race following sexual assault allegations has triggered an emergency convention to select a new nominee.

State CDC director Nirav Shah and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows have launched bids, testing voter sentiment against incumbent Susan Collins.

The scandal has stirred skepticism from Trump and other conservatives, while Democrats grapple with the fallout just months before the midterms.

Candidates vying to replace Platner are already split on key issues including Israel policy, and the party faces a compressed timeline to unify behind a candidate capable of mounting a credible challenge.