Graham Platner is dropping out

Following a rape allegation, Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner said he is suspending his campaign and will file the paperwork needed to withdraw from the critically important race to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Platner has until Monday, July 13 to follow through on that pledge.

The Maine Democratic Party is planning a 600-person convention to select Platner's replacement, a logistical nightmare that, if it goes well, could make Maine voters feel better about the public and as-representative-as-possible nature of the selection process. If it doesn't go well, it could be a total disaster. But given that Platner's withdrawal announcement involved whining about how a shadowy "they" pushed him out of the race, openness does seem important. (Although Platner's own behavior, which he still refuses to take responsibility for, pushed him out of this race.)

Feel free to discuss here.