Democrats Pull Money From Maine Senate Race Over Platner Allegations

Senate Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced July 7 that the party's campaign committee will not fund Maine's Senate race if nominee Graham Platner remains on the ballot. The leverage is real: outside spending typically determines whether challengers can compete against incumbents like Republican Susan Collins. Platner denies sexual assault allegations published by Politico on July 6, but the financial pressure signals party leadership prefers his withdrawal.