Perhaps Platner will drop out and endorse David Costello

[pat_k]

If the accusation is not true, he can still deny it but assert that beating Susan Collins is more important and defending himself against this is too much of a distraction. Then endorse David Costello as the best candidate to beat Susan Collins. Then introduce the guy and call on the Democratic Party to nominate Costello.

I just don't see people getting excited about Mills. Costello was gaining ground when the first NYT reports dropped. There just wasn't enough time before the primary for people to take a closer look at him. There will be enough time between now and the general and Costello is a very good candidate.

My opinion doesn't matter, I don't live in Maine, but I think if it played out like that we'd have the best shot.

[leftstreet]

1. Why didn't Schumer endorse him over Mills?

(I mean, I don't really know.) I just remember once Platner showed up, Schumer RAN to endorse a candidate not likely to win. Was Collins an alternative to Platner and Mills that early?

[pat_k]

4. IDK, but the party goes with incumbents, and a governor is an incumbent of sorts.

From the perspective of "the party" Costello, like Platner, had never run for and won elected office, so would not be considered "vetted." But he does have extensive experience in local and state government.

[Nixie]

7. Mills made quite a splash when she stood up to Trump right to

his face with the “see you in court” line when he was harassing her at the governor’s lunch. That was my assumption as to why she really got Schumer’s attention.

[obamanut2012]

9. AOC also didn't endorse him

[RandySF]

2. I wish

Or Shenna Bellows.

[GPV]

3. We have a lot of good options here, but it depends on

a) Platner stepping aside (and he's got a lot of chutzpah, given that he entered the race with that tattoo and the skeletons he knew about,) b) people stepping up to enter a precarious race with a short amount of time left, and c) whether or not the DNC tried to push for any one replacement.

[BannonsLiver]

19. A lot of options? Really?

So far all I’ve seen mentioned is a governor who could barely raise any money and a guy who didn’t get out of single digits in the polls when he was actively campaigning. I’m not sure that constitutes a lot.

[GPV]

23. Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows, Nirav Shah, Jordan Wood, and David Costello

are all options.

[BannonsLiver]

24. Collins is probably doing cartwheels across her office right now.

[GPV]

25. She was never that likely to lose, anyway. Never is.

[lapucelle]

26. Troy Jackson campaigned alongside Platner after the first NYT story broke.

So Jackson not only ignored every single early red flag, but he also hitched his wagon to Platner after the first NYT assault allegations were published and campaigned alongside of him in a bid to win his own primary. (Jackson came in third in the Democratic primary for governor).

I wonder if leadership would have approached Jackson to run for senate if he had not announced the formation of an exploratory committee for governor in March 2025.

Jackson has been around a while. He was elected to the DNC in 2015 and held superdelegate status from then until December 2024 when he was term limited out of office.

[mcar]

32. Thanks for this info

[2naSalit]

5. I still think...

Mills would beat collins, Costello has a chance but I think Mills would be the best candidate... and I don't GAF how old she is, Bernie is older and she's just as sharp if not more so.

[obamanut2012]

10. Agree

[Wiz Imp]

6. He gained slightly when Mills dropped out.

Clearly gaining some Mills voters. To say he was gaining ground overall is ridiculous. He got 8% of the vote.

[pat_k]

16. Costello and Platner have similar progressive agendas.

And Platner focused attacks on Mills, which I think weakens her relative to Costello.

There is time between now and the election. I just think the people supporting Platner would be happier with Costello than Mills.

He may tough it out. I just posted a scenario I think would be better than rubber stamping Mills if he drops out.

[obamanut2012]

8. Why would Costello want his endorsement

And why would Platner get to choose?!

[pat_k]

13. Should he have a preference, it would be good to express it.

I have no idea what he thinks of Costello. I do know they have similar progressive agendas and that Platner focused attacks on Janet Mills, not David Costello.

Or he may tough it out.

If he does drop out, it will ultimately be up to the party, but an endorsement would be a good thing.

[bucolic_frolic]

11. It revisits and begs

the question, was he a plant all along?

[pat_k]

14. I don't think so, but what do I know?

[2naSalit]

17. Inquiring...

Voters need to know.

[rogue emissary]

12. I found a web stie I think is Maine's laws. He'd need to drop out before 5:00 pm next Monday.

https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/21-a/title21-Asec374-A.html
§374-A. General election candidates; vacancy
1. Vacancy and replacement of nominees. The Secretary of State shall declare the vacancy as provided in section 362‑A and a political committee may make a replacement nomination for the general election only if a person nominated for an office at a primary election or by a political committee:
A. Withdraws on or before 5 p.m. of the 2nd Monday in July preceding the general election in accordance with section 367; [PL 2011, c. 342, §12 (AMD).]
B. Withdraws because of a catastrophic illness, condition or injury that has permanently and continuously incapacitated the candidate and would prevent performance of the duties of the office sought, as long as the candidate or a member of the candidate's immediate family files with the Secretary of State a certificate accompanying the withdrawal request that describes the illness, condition or injury and is signed by a licensed physician; or [PL 2015, c. 447, §12 (AMD).]
C. Dies prior to the general election. [PL 1989, c. 341, §2 (NEW).]

[RoeVWade]

15. I just hope Mainers just embrace the idea that they can't put Republicans in charge, shrug it off and go with Mills.

Or someone, if Platner is gone.

[pat_k]

18. Yes. If he drops out, get behind whoever the party picks

If it's Mills, then I hope voters embrace the campaign.

But I do worry about Mills, particularly since Platner focused attacks on her, which I think weakens her relative to Costello

Also, Costello and Platner have similar progressive agendas. Endorsing him would make more sense on keeping the movement going.

There is time between now and the election to build support for whoever ends up the nominee -- even if he were to tough it out (which, given his video statement is unlikely.)

I just think the people supporting Platner would be happier with Costello than Mills.

[Boo1]

20. Mills finished 2nd

She will be the nominee when Planter drops out.

[pat_k]

21. Not necessarily.

IMO, David Costello would be a better pick to carry the movement forward, and I hope Platner endorses him if he drops out.

Costello and Platner have similar progressive agendas.

And Platner focused attacks on Mills, not Costello, which I think weakens her relative to Costello.

There is time between now and the election to build support for whoever the Dems pick. I just think the people supporting Platner would be happier with Costello than Mills.

[Boo1]

22. Who would want Planters endorsement

At this point?

And it's not a 'choice'. She's next in line my vote.

[Jersey Devil]

27. Who's on first?

I dunno.

If you're talking Lou Costello I'm all in.

[boston bean]

28. I do not think he would want a rapists endorsement.

[pat_k]

30. Probably right. And sounds like Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, or Nirav Shah are better options.

As per NYTimes (posted by RandyF here) Plans are statewide caucuses or a "pop-up" convention 7/25 weekend (assuming he withdraws)

Maine Dems will get a new candidate. And they will not be selected by the party committee. (I found it notable that Mills was not included in the list of possible replacements. A very good thing IMO. I just don't see her inspiring many of those Platner inspired.)

And once they have their new nominee, the people of Maine, and supporters from afar, will make it a winning campaign.

Top Maine Democratic Party officials have discussed possible plans to replace Mr. Platner on the ballot, with options including a pop-up convention on the weekend of July 25 to choose a nominee, or holding a statewide caucus to effectively redo the party’s primary election, according to two people who have talked with the officials and spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal party conversations.

Officials have ruled out having the state party’s committee, which includes about 100 members, choose the nominee, the people said......

Should Mr. Platner withdraw by next Monday, the leading candidates to replace him could potentially include the Democrats who ran for governor and did not win the primary.

They include Ms. (Shenna) Bellows, Troy Jackson, a former president of the Maine Senate, and Nirav Shah, a former director of Maine’s public health agency. Jordan Wood, who lost a primary for a House district covering northern Maine, is also a potential candidate.

And here's a gift link to the article
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/06/us/politics/who-would-replace-graham-platner-maine.html?unlocked_article_code=1.v1A.iM4y.eQFzT3W_7ioS&smid=url-share

[pat_k]

29. Delete - misplaced

[displacedvermoter]

31. Anyone know if Jared Golden is an option?

Perhaps if he didn't have to be so afraid of his 2nd District constituents in the backwoods, he could let his pro-Labor beliefs shine through more, and he couid take up some of Platner's progressive vibe. He certainly would be better than Collins, probably better than Platner for many reasons, and likely beat her in this election all things being equal

Unfortunately, what I have feared for a long time has happened, and another work boot has dropped and we are kinda fucked. Watch Collins now become a staunch advocate for abused women and victims of sexual assault, while simultaneously avoiding any talk of Trump and Epstein and
the sex trafficking of teenage girls. She will be able to avoid that discussion because we will see both siderism on a massive scale, along with Democrats in Disarray, as central parts of the narrative. And I fear, it will work and she will be reelected.