Maine Democrats are facing a significant financial challenge after Graham Platner’s exit from the Senate race. Platner, who was accused of sexual assault, withdrew from the race, leaving his potential successors with a severe financial disadvantage.

Financial Struggles

Platner raised $16.3 million through May 20 and held nearly $2.2 million in cash on hand. However, his successor will have to start from scratch, as most of Platner’s potential replacements will not be able to use the funds he raised.

Gov. Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign in April, has the best financial position among the potential replacements, with roughly $717,000 in cash on hand. However, this is still significantly less than the $10 million banked by Republican incumbent Susan Collins.

Other potential replacements, such as former state Senate President Troy Jackson and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, will also have to start from scratch, as they cannot use the funds they raised for state office in a federal race.

Party Nominating Convention

The state party will hold a nominating convention to select a new nominee, with details on the timeline and mechanics to be announced later. The party has until July 27 to replace Platner.

University of Maine political scientist Mark Brewer noted that the focus on who will replace Platner is obscuring a deeper issue – the financial disadvantage that the new nominee will face. Brewer said that it will be difficult for the new nominee to make up the financial ground, especially with only three months left before Election Day.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.