Scoop: Platner privately told staff he'll formally exit Senate race Monday
· Axios
Graham Platner privately told staff that he is planning to officially file paperwork to end his Senate campaign on Monday — the drop-dead deadline for him to exit the race.
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Why it matters: Though Democrats largely appear to think Platner is done with his bid, his last-minute timing is likely to cause a final pang of anxiety within the party.
Driving the news: Platner made the comments to his team Wednesday night shortly before he announced publicly he was suspending his campaign.
- "On Monday, I entire — I intend to file the requisite paperwork with the Secretary of State to remove my name from the ballot," he said, according to a person on the call.
- Under state law, Platner has until Monday at 5 p.m. to drop out of the race in time for the party to replace him with a new nominee.
- As of about 1 p.m. Thursday, Platner had not officially withdrawn from the race, according to the Maine Secretary of State.
- "No official withdrawal notice has yet been received from Mr. Platner," said Jana Spaulding, deputy secretary of state for communications. "A public declaration is not an official withdrawal, and a candidate must formally withdraw to the elections office in writing, including signature."
Platner has sought to influence the process to choose his replacement. On Wednesday, he said in a social media video that the protocol "needs to be driven not from back rooms, but by the will of the people."
- It "seems like people are underrating the odds he just doesn't file the actual withdrawal," Liam Kerr, co-founder of the center-left Welcome PAC, told Axios.
- Platner allies have described his comments as parting wishes, not hostage-taking.
What they're saying: A Platner spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Between the lines: Progressive and establishment-oriented Democrats are feuding over how to pick the next nominee.
- The Maine Democratic Party said earlier this week that Platner's team would have "no role" in determining his successor.
- On Wednesday, shortly before Platner said he was suspending his campaign, the state party announced that it would hold a nominating convention to pick his replacement in the event of a vacancy. Several candidates have already jumped into the race.
- The convention is expected to include roughly 600 delegates, including 500 people chosen from county parties and 100 state committee members.
- Progressives worry that the process will be too insider-driven, while some moderates think it could empower activists on the left.