Maine Democrats are facing a financial challenge after Graham Platner, their Senate nominee, withdrew from the race. Platner, a 41-year-old combat veteran and oysterman, had raised $16.3 million and held nearly $2.2 million in cash on hand before his campaign unraveled amid a sexual assault allegation.
Financial Disadvantage
Platner’s successor will start from a severe financial disadvantage, with most potential replacements effectively starting from scratch. Gov. Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign in April, has about $717,000 in cash on hand, while Republican incumbent Susan Collins has $10 million banked.
Under state law, the party has until July 27 to replace Platner. The scramble has set off a whirlwind of political drama, with University of Maine political scientist Mark Brewer noting that the focus on who the replacement will be obscures a deeper issue – the financial hole left behind.
Financial Options
Platner’s exit leaves him with several options for his war chest, including paying campaign bills, donating to charity, or saving the funds for a future bid for office. However, he is not allowed to simply hand over the funds to his successor, as federal law caps candidate-to-candidate transfers at $2,000.
A recent Supreme Court decision provides a possible workaround, allowing Platner to transfer unlimited amounts to a national, state, or local party committee, which could then coordinate a spending strategy with the chosen candidate.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
