Platner's disastrous candidacy exposes rifts that could dampen Democrats' Senate hopes

Getty ImagesThe sexual assault allegation against Platner was just the latest, most serious, controversy to dog the novice candidate since he entered the race last August.Earlier reports of offensive social media posts, a chest tattoo with Nazi connotations, sexually explicit text messages sent to women after he was married in 2023, and allegations from former girlfriends of threatening and "toxic" behaviour did not deter 72% of Maine's Democrats from casting their ballots for him in June's primary.Platner adamantly denied this latest allegation, but within hours of the interview's publication, his political support evaporated. State and Democrats" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="161743" data-entity-type="organization">national Democrats, including his closest allies on the progressive left - Warren and Sanders included - withdrew their backing. The national party announced it would no longer help finance his campaign. By midweek, it became clear it was only a matter of when, not if, Platner would step aside.In announcing the end of his campaign, Platner said he was not stepping down because of the allegation."We're doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power," he added, saying he would not formally file paperwork to withdraw until he's assured his replacement will be selected in a "open and democratic" way.Now Democrats, both in Maine and nationally, are scrambling to name a replacement before a state-mandated 27 July deadline. On Wednesday night, the state party announced it will select a new nominee at convention held sometime in the next two weeks, where reportedly hundreds of delegates would choose Platner's replacement. It previously had said it would seek public input and not make the decision behind closed doors.