Graham Platner, a progressive candidate for US Senate in Maine, managed to defy an array of scandals as he rose to become the frontrunner to take on thirty-year incumbent Sen. Susan Collins. But last week, after a former romantic partner credibly accused him of rape, Platner suspended his campaign and withdrew his candidacy — leaving his supporters heartbroken and the Democratic Party scrambling to find a replacement candidate.

Journalist Nathan Bernard joins Jared and Mike to break down the collapse of Platner's campaign and what comes next for Democrats who have been desperately trying to unseat Collins without success. Bernard was on the ground from day five of Platner’s campaign. He walks through what Platner meant to Maine Democrats, why volunteers stuck around through earlier controversies, and how the mood darkened after a rape allegation ended his political aspirations.

With Platner out, the question is whether an alternate candidate like Troy Jackson or Nirav Shah — or even Ms. Rachel — can consolidate support fast enough to make Collins "concerned" about her reelection.

Links for Nathan:

• X (Twitter): @nathanTbernard / Bluesky: @nathantbernard.bsky.social /

• In Letter, Platner Volunteer Network Warns Dems: Nominee Must Back Same Agenda to Win Our Full Support (Drop Site, July 2026)

• Platner Volunteers Want to Move Forward with a New Candidate (Drop Site, July 2026)

• Voters Weigh In: From Waterville to Ogunquit, Mainers Are Standing By Graham Platner (Drop Site, Oct 2025)

Transition Music: "Pale Horse (live in london)" by Truman Sinclair