Collins confident as Maine Democrats move to replace Platner

PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — For the first time in recent state history, the Maine Democratic Party will host a nomination convention to replace Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner.

“This isn’t going to be easy,” Chair of the Maine Democratic Party Charlie Dingman said. “Our laws never anticipated this unusual circumstance.”

Platner officially dropped out amid sexual assault allegations which he denies.

A 13-page plan will now determine Maine’s next Democratic Senate nominee.

601 delegates will vote for a candidate. This includes members from the Democratic State Committee and registered Democratic voters.

Those voters will be hand-picked by the Democratic committees in each of Maine’s 16 counties.

25% of those voters must meet one of several diversity requirements, including identifying as Black, indigenous, or a person of color, LGBTQIA+, or an immigrant.

Voting will be in the form of rounds. All candidates will appear on the ballot in the first round. The top five candidates who have the highest number of votes will advance to the second round.

The rounds continue until one candidate receives the majority of the vote.

“We have produced one of the most open and inclusive processes we believe any state party have ever undertaken to replace a Senate nominee,” Dingman said.

The nominee who wins will go head to head with longtime Republican senator Susan Collins. She’s seeking her sixth term in the U.S. Senate.

Her opponent remains to be seen for now.

No matter who it is, she remains confident she can win in November.

“I know that I’m making a big difference for the state of Maine and that that requires seniority, experience, and knowledge. I have all three at this point,” Collins said.