The Maine Democratic Party on Wednesday accused embattled U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner of attempting to influence the process for selecting his replacement.

In a video posted on X, Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson said Platner's team has contacted party officials multiple times despite being told it would have no role in the replacement process.

"Unfortunately, Graham Platner's team has repeatedly reached out to us in an attempt to put their thumb on the scale of what this process looks like," Murphy-Anderson said.

She said party leaders have made clear that Platner's campaign will not have any input into the selection process or the eventual nominee.

"We have repeatedly reiterated to Graham Platner's team that they have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, nor in determining what this process looks like," Murphy-Anderson said. "We have also reiterated that Graham Platner must drop out of this race, so that Democrats in Maine can focus on defeating Susan Collins this November."

Murphy-Anderson said the party has already developed a framework for replacing Platner but will not release details until he formally withdraws from the race.

"We look forward to making this process public as soon as Graham Platner formally withdraws from this race," she said.

The comments marked the strongest public accusation yet by Maine Democratic Party leaders that Platner is attempting to influence events after calls mounted for him to step aside following sexual assault allegations made by a former girlfriend. Platner has denied the allegations.

Murphy-Anderson said the party has been "working around the clock" to prepare a replacement process, emphasizing that it would be designed to ensure confidence among Democrats statewide.

"The Maine Democratic Party has been working around the clock to develop a process to replace our U.S. Senate nominee that is open, inclusive, transparent and fair," she said. "The integrity of this process is just as important as the outcome, and we are committed to ensuring that Democrats across our state can have confidence in both."

Under Maine law, Democrats cannot replace their Senate nominee unless Platner voluntarily withdraws before the state's ballot deadline. Party officials have not publicly detailed how they would select a replacement but have indicated they are prepared to move quickly once he exits the race.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has withdrawn its support for Platner, and several prominent Democrats have urged him to leave the race as Republicans seek to defend incumbent Sen. Susan Collins' seat in November.

Platner's campaign did not immediately respond to Murphy-Anderson's latest remarks.