Schumer Stays Out of Maine Senate Primary as 1 Key 2026 Seat Could Decide Majority
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 15
Schumer Stays Out of Maine Senate Primary as 1 Key 2026 Seat Could Decide Majority
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 15
Summary
Schumer said he is “staying out of Maine” after candidate Platner withdrew, declining to back any replacement in a race central to Democrats’ bid to unseat Susan Collins and retake the Senate.
Platner exited after a rape allegation and other damaging reports, and Schumer’s public line has shifted only to urging Maine Democrats to choose a nominee who can defeat Collins.
Maine contenders and aides to Nirav Shah, Shanna Bellows and Dan Kleban said they have seen no outreach from Schumer, the DSCC or Senate Majority PAC, suggesting Washington has not intervened in the renomination fight.
The vacuum extends beyond Schumer: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse, who had backed Platner earlier, also say they will not endorse before the state convention.
Even from the sidelines, Schumer remains an issue in the race, with candidates pressed on whether he should remain Democratic leader as Maine Democrats scramble to replace Platner.