Maine Democrats are struggling to replace Graham Platner as their Senate nominee after he ended his campaign amid allegations of rape, which he has denied. Eight candidates participated in a debate, but none could replicate Platner’s political skills that allowed him to emerge as a viral sensation and poll neck-and-neck with Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Candidates’ Platforms

The candidates, including former public health official Nirav Shah, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and former Capitol Hill staffer Jordan Wood, presented their platforms and policies. They all trained their criticism toward Collins and President Donald Trump, rather than each other.

Shah pointed to his performance in the gubernatorial primary, where he earned the most first-place votes but finished second after ranked-choice votes were tabulated. Jackson touted his state-level accomplishments, while Bellows highlighted her attempt to disqualify President Trump from the 2024 ballot. Wood said he would be best able to separate himself politically from Platner.

ICE and Immigration

The candidates also discussed their views on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and immigration policy. Shah said he supports abolishing ICE, while Bellows wants ICE out of Maine. Jackson called ICE a “rogue agency” that gives the country “nothing but heartache and racism.” Wood suggested that ICE agents should be banned from wearing masks and required to display identification and wear body cameras.

The debate did little to draw out differences among the candidates, who will face off again on July 23 in a debate hosted by CNN and the Bangor Daily News. The nominee will be chosen at a convention of 601 delegates on July 25.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.