Bellows Enters Maine Senate Race Following Platner’s Departure
Maine secretary of state announces bid – Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, officially announced her candidacy on Thursday to succeed Graham Platner as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. The political newcomer’s rapid rise in the state’s political landscape has positioned her as a formidable contender in what promises to be a competitive race.
A Campaign Rooted in Progressive Values
In her announcement statement, Bellows drew connections between her vision and the momentum that Platner generated since his unexpected surge in August of last year. The former challenger to Senator Susan Collins, who lost her 2014 bid, emphasized that Maine voters have cultivated a political movement worthy of continuation through the November election.
After serious consideration, I am announcing my campaign for United States Senate, because I believe that together we can unify Democrats in Maine at this difficult time, and forge ahead with a campaign that fights for working people, stands up to a broken system that’s working against us, and defeats Susan Collins.
Platner’s decision to suspend his campaign came on Wednesday following multiple accusations of sexual misconduct from women. The progressive candidate has consistently maintained that all allegations against him are false, though several women have come forward with specific claims.
The Allegations and Response
Among those who have publicly shared their experiences is Jenny Racicot, who told both Politico and CNN’s Jake Tapper that Platner raped her in 2021. Additionally, former girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield revealed to The Washington Post that Platner removed his condom during intercourse without her knowledge. These revelations prompted several Democratic figures to enter the race for Platner’s vacant spot on the ballot. Troy Jackson, who previously served as Maine Senate president, joined the field alongside Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dan Kleban, co-founder of Maine Beer Company, and Jordan Wood, a former Capitol Hill staffer, also announced their intentions to compete.
Bellows’ Political Credentials
Should Bellows secure the nomination, she would face Collins in a rematch of their 2014 contest. The Republican incumbent won that race by a margin of nearly 37 points, defeating Bellows who was then serving as executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine for eight years. Since that earlier campaign, Bellows has accumulated substantial political experience. She spent four years serving in the Maine Senate before assuming her current role as the state’s chief election official in January 2021. Her tenure has been marked by significant decisions, including her ruling that President Trump could not appear on Maine’s 2024 GOP presidential primary ballot due to his conduct surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Supreme Court ultimately reversed her decision unanimously in March 2024.
The Path Forward
Maine Democratic Party leaders confirmed on Wednesday that state committee members voted to conduct a nominating convention to select Platner’s replacement. State regulations require Democrats to finalize their choice by July 27.
We will announce the full timeline, details for how the nomination process will move forward, information about how to participate, and requirements for candidates soon. We will keep the public informed throughout the process — transparency is of the utmost importance.
This statement came from Maine Democratic Party chair Charlie Dingman, vice chair Imke Schessler, and executive director Devon-Murphy-Anderson, who released their joint message via social media platforms. On Thursday, Bellows emphasized that her campaign would prioritize everyday Mainers. She described her message as focusing on residents struggling to make ends meet, pay their bills, and build savings for tomorrow. Her rhetoric highlighted frustration with what she characterized as a system that favors billionaires and large corporations in Washington, D.C., while ordinary citizens bear the burden.
It will be about the people of Maine, who are fighting so hard to just get by, pay the bills, and save a little bit for their future. It will be about the people who are sick and tired of getting screwed over, while the billionaires and massive corporations get special favors in Washington, D.C.
Kleban and Wood bring additional experience to the field, having both previously sought the Democratic Senate nomination during this election cycle before concluding their campaigns in the fall. Their return adds depth to a competitive primary that will ultimately determine who challenges Collins in what could be a pivotal Senate race for Maine.
