Democratic Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner’s campaign quietly commissioned a poll this week measuring how several potential replacement candidates would fare against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, a sign that his team is considering contingencies as his candidacy comes under mounting strain. The survey, conducted Tuesday by Public Policy Polling, tested Collins in head-to-head matchups against Platner and five possible Democratic substitutes, including former Maine state Senate President Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
The polling came one day after a woman who previously dated Platner accused him of forcing her to have sex with him. Platner has denied the allegation. Since then, his campaign has lost support and financial backing from across the Democratic Party, canceled all planned fundraisers, and removed online advertising, developments that have added to questions about whether he can remain in the race.
Platner’s team has also contacted Maine Democratic Party officials to discuss how he could be replaced on the November ballot, though that discussion became contentious. At the same time, the campaign has surveyed volunteers about next steps, and Platner has not appeared in public since the allegation emerged. He was expected to speak later Wednesday, although it was not clear whether that appearance would be public or directed internally to staff.
Platner has said he is taking time to reflect on his candidacy, while his campaign has not publicly indicated a final decision on whether he will stay in the race. The internal poll and the broader pullback in campaign activity suggest his team is weighing whether another Democrat would be better positioned to challenge Collins if Platner withdraws.
