Maine Democrat Graham Platner has formally withdrawn from his U.S. Senate bid in a letter submitted to state elections officials on Friday. Platner, who had been seeking to challenge Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in the November election, announced his decision via a post on X, formerly Twitter.
In his withdrawal letter, Platner highlighted his significant vote total in the recent Maine Senate Democratic primary, where he received 156,084 votes, representing more than a 70% victory. He interpreted this outcome as a signal that "People are desperate for change."
The concluding remarks of his message included the slogans, "F*ck ICE. Free Palestine. Up the Hearts."
Platner's campaign had previously been noted for his alleged past, including accusations of rape, which have been previously reported. Information surfaced regarding a profile on Kik, a social media platform known for illegal activity, and a covered Nazi tattoo. His campaign materials also included imagery of him as a military veteran and oysterman.
The withdrawal leaves a vacancy in the Democratic field as the party prepares to select a replacement candidate to face Sen. Collins.