New Platner Move Raises Questions About Withdrawal As Potential Replacement Flunks Basic Interview
Once the Democrat nominee for the Senate in Maine, Graham Platner, suspended his campaign on Wednesday, the race was on in terms of people jockeying to replace him.
One of the people frequently mentioned is the former state Senate president Troy Jackson, who was the Bernie Sanders-backed candidate for governor in the primary. But he came in third, not exactly a winning recommendation.
READ MORE: It’s Over: Graham Platner Suspends Maine Senate Campaign
Maine Democrats Think They Have Come Up With a Process to Replace Platner – Here’s What Will Happen
When you listen to Jackson try to answer why he continued to support Platner, despite all the prior allegations against him, you might be able to see why he came in third. This would be an obvious question that you should know they’re going to ask you, but he seems completely at sea.
MS NOW’s Katy Tur asked why he stuck with Platner after the Nazi tattoo revelations, the NY Times article (which detailed the alleged abuse of Lyndsey Fifield), and Reddit posts that were “arguably racist and sexist.”
“Why did you stay with him for so long?” she queried.
Maine Democrat Troy Jackson defends his support for Graham Platner even after he was exposed for having a Nazi tattoo, saying he would rape someone to show his “dominance,” and allegations of abuse:
“I understood, you know, that people can change.” pic.twitter.com/2Wt0AnhjEz
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 9, 2026
Jackson was left scrambling with the “it was dark times for him,” and “people can change” defenses.
Of course, the real problem for him is that there is no justifiable answer. But what a comment on this guy’s judgment, and it’s not a good comment. The “he’s changed” defense had long since sailed, sir. And it’s not an excuse in any event. Not exactly an auspicious start for a guy hoping to grab the nomination.
That is, of course, if Platner drops out. Platner announced in a video on Wednesday that he was suspending his campaign. And he attacked the Democrat establishment for pressuring him.
BREAKING: Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner has privately told staff he plans to officially file paperwork to end his campaign on Monday, according to Axios.
Axios: “‘On Monday, I entire — I intend to file the requisite paperwork with the Secretary of State… pic.twitter.com/SsNloDVGzo
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) July 9, 2026
But he hasn’t filed the necessary paperwork to withdraw as of 1 p.m. on Thursday.
“No official withdrawal notice has yet been received from Mr. Platner,” said Jana Spaulding, deputy secretary of state for communications. “A public declaration is not an official withdrawal, and a candidate must formally withdraw to the elections office in writing, including signature.”
Platner said to his staff that he’s not going to file it until Monday, the last possible day. He has to file by 5 p.m. What is he waiting for? That’s naturally making some people nervous. Is there some last-minute game playing going on here? Is it an attempt to bargain for something else?
While Democrats may have helped themselves by tossing Platner to the curb, they’ve also embarrassed themselves immensely with how much they’ve debased themselves in the process of this whole drama. You have to think that’s not going to be very helpful with voters seeking stability.
You also have to wonder if Platner’s angry video and the back and forth are going to translate to problems for the Democrats if his supporters aren’t happy with the choice of the party. Will they take a walk if the pick isn’t Jackson, for example? The Democrats deserve to get the boot for this whole debacle, and hopefully, the voters are about to deliver that to them.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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