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Maine Democrats Tell Schumer: Stay Out of Our Senate Race
19HR AGOUSU.S. SENATOR CHARLES SCHUMERVOTING

Maine Democrats Tell Schumer: Stay Out of Our Senate Race

What's the gist?

After Democratic nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign over a sexual assault allegation, Maine Democrats are scrambling to pick a replacement and many want Washington, especially Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to stay out of it.

Context

Schumer co-signed a joint statement with DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand demanding Platner drop out, and had earlier backed Governor Janet Mills over Platner in the primary. As a result many Maine Democrats stayed out of the race. Platner being positioned as an anti-establishment candidate made Schumer a frequent target of the far left in the Democratic party, and that tension is now shaping the replacement race. Maine has repeatedly voted for the incumbent in this race, Republican Sen. Susan Collins, since 1996 and Independent Sen. Angus King since 2013.

Positive takes

Doing His Job. Schumer acted decisively when it mattered most, quickly joining a public call for Platner to withdraw after serious sexual assault allegations emerged. That kind of swift, clear leadership helped push the party toward a faster resolution in a critical Senate race.
Protecting the Majority. With Maine seen as a must-win state for Democrats to retake the Senate, Schumer's early pressure on Platner to exit — and the DSCC's threat to pull funding — may have saved the party from a catastrophic general election with an unelectable nominee.
Staying in His Lane. Schumer has not publicly tried to pick Platner's replacement. His intervention was limited to demanding accountability after a credible assault allegation — a decision most Democrats, including progressive allies, ultimately agreed with.

Negative takes

Wrong From the Start. Schumer backed the establishment pick, Governor Janet Mills, over Platner in the primary — alienating the grassroots voters who fueled Maine's progressive movement. Now those same voters don't trust him to stay neutral in choosing a replacement.
Backroom Fears. Platner himself warned that 'people in D.C. need to stay in D.C.' and that decisions shouldn't be made 'in backrooms by people in places of political power.' That sentiment reflects a real anxiety among Maine Democrats that Schumer could quietly tip the scales toward a moderate.
Anti-Establishment Lightning Rod. At least one replacement candidate, Dan Kleban, has already declared he wouldn't vote for Schumer as Senate leader. Schumer's visibility in this race risks making him a liability — energizing anti-establishment voters against whichever candidate he is seen as favoring.