Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, officially withdrew from the race on July 10. He filed the necessary paperwork with the Maine Secretary of State two days after announcing his intention to step aside.
Platner cited financial pressures in an 11-minute video posted on July 8. He said his campaign would lose the ability to fundraise and access voter data.
In his formal withdrawal notice, Platner wrote that voters chose him because "people are desperate for change." The notice ended with the statement "F*ck ICE. Free Palestine. Up the Hearts."
The Maine Democratic Party now has until July 27 to select a replacement through a nominating convention involving around 600 delegates. Candidates must declare by July 15 and gather signatures from at least eight counties.
Platner won the June 9 primary with more than 150,000 votes. He has denied allegations of rape made by a former romantic partner.
