8 Maine Democrats Debate to Replace Platner as Party Races Toward July 25 Senate Pick
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
8 Maine Democrats Debate to Replace Platner as Party Races Toward July 25 Senate Pick
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Summary
Eight Democratic hopefuls met in Portland for a hastily arranged debate that underscored how hard it may be for Maine Democrats to quickly find a strong Senate challenger to Republican Susan Collins.
Graham Platner's collapse days after rape accusations forced the party into a compressed replacement process, with about 600 delegates set to choose a new nominee at a July 25 convention.
Several leading contenders entered with visible weaknesses: former State Senator Troy Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former congressional aide Jordan Wood had all recently lost other Democratic primaries and struggled at times onstage.
The candidates largely leaned on anti-Trump credentials and progressive policy pitches, but the debate highlighted a thin Democratic bench in a race seen as important to control of Congress.