The race to replace former Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has taken an unusual turn as Maine Democrats scramble to find a new challenger against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

But nearly every major contender entering the race shares one striking characteristic: they have already suffered a political defeat earlier this year.

The Maine Democratic Party is preparing to select a new Senate nominee after Platner withdrew from the race following allegations of rape made by a former girlfriend, allegations that prompted widespread calls from Democratic leaders for him to step aside.

Party delegates will gather on July 25 to choose a replacement after county meetings this weekend select the 601 delegates who will cast ballots.

Eight Democrats have already entered the race, and most are attempting political comebacks after unsuccessful campaigns just months ago.

The highest-profile candidate is Dr. Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Shah finished with the most first-choice votes in last month’s Democratic gubernatorial primary but ultimately lost the nomination to former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree after Maine’s ranked-choice voting system redistributed ballots.

Following his defeat, Shah quickly pivoted to the Senate race.

“My message to those supporters of Graham’s is a very clear one,” Shah said. “You have a home in this campaign.”

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is also seeking the nomination after finishing third in the Democratic primary for governor.

Jackson, a fifth-generation logger and longtime labor advocate, had hoped to become the party’s nominee for governor before falling short.

Another former gubernatorial candidate, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, is making another bid for higher office after placing fourth in the Democratic governor’s race.

Bellows said flipping the Senate seat remains her priority.

“Flipping the Senate in November is crucial,” she wrote on social media.

Former congressional aide Jordan Wood is also back on the campaign trail after losing the Democratic primary in Maine’s competitive 2nd Congressional District.

Wood had originally entered the Senate race before switching to the House contest when Rep. Jared Golden announced he would not seek reelection.

After losing that race, Wood is once again pursuing the Senate nomination.

Former Democratic Senate nominee David Costello is making his second Senate campaign of the year.

Costello received just 8% of the vote in June’s Democratic Senate primary, finishing third behind Platner and Gov. Janet Mills, whose name remained on the ballot despite suspending her campaign.

Costello was also the Democratic Senate nominee in 2024 but finished a distant third behind independent Sen. Angus King.

Businessman Dan Kleban, co-founder of the Maine Beer Company, briefly sought the Senate nomination earlier this year before ending his campaign and endorsing Mills.

Now he has reentered the race following Platner’s withdrawal.

“I fully support an open, transparent process to earn the trust of our delegates,” Kleban said.

Social worker Paige Loud is also trying again after losing the Democratic primary in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.

Launching her Senate campaign, Loud argued the grassroots movement built during the earlier campaign should continue.

“The grassroots movement in Maine is more powerful than ever,” she wrote.

The final declared candidate, Elizabeth Dickerson, did not seek another statewide office this year but previously served in the Maine Legislature before leaving public office more than a decade ago.

Her campaign focuses on economic inequality and expanding opportunities for working families.

The unusual field comes after Platner’s dramatic collapse.

The combat veteran and oyster farmer won June’s Democratic Senate primary in a landslide after earning the endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders and building a strong progressive grassroots movement, Fox News reported.

However, he suspended his campaign after a former girlfriend accused him of rape, allegations that led prominent Democrats in Maine and nationally to call for his withdrawal.

As delegates prepare to choose a new nominee, Platner’s former campaign volunteers have warned they will not automatically support whoever replaces him.

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