A coalition of voters and local and county party committee members is requesting that the Maine Democratic Party reconsider its process for naming a new nominee in the U.S. Senate race following candidate Graham Platner’s withdrawal.
Over 200 people signed an open letter from the group, the Maine Coalition for Fair Nominations, which was sent to the party’s state committee on Friday.
“We recognize this moment is unprecedented, and we understand time is of the essence,” the letter states. “But we believe rushing this process in a way that results in loss of trust would do far more damage to our collective goal than the time a genuine comment period requires.”
The party announced Wednesday that its state committee had voted to hold a nominating convention. On Thursday, officials released the criteria for candidates to enter the race.
The letter requests the committee “revote” on the process after allowing ample time for public input ahead of a public-facing vote.
“This request is not about any single candidate or race. It is about ensuring that decisions of this consequence are made through a process the Party’s own members can see, understand, and trust,” the letter states. “A nomination procedure adopted without that trust is a liability for every campaign it touches, regardless of who wins or loses under it.”
According to state law, if a candidate nominated in a primary election — as Platner was — withdraws on or before 5 p.m. on the second Monday in July — July 13 this year — a replacement can be named. Platner officially submitted paperwork to withdraw from the race Friday.
The law gives a deadline of the fourth Monday in July — July 27 this year — for the party to make its replacement nomination, and largely leaves the selection process up to the party.
The Democratic Party’s charter addresses the process for naming replacements, but doesn’t go into great detail, so the party has been frantically working to develop criteria.