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SCARBOROUGH, Maine — <\/span>The Maine Democratic Party on Wednesday voted to hold a convention now that Democratic Graham Platner has announced he’ll drop out of the state’s U.S. Senate race after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault<\/a>.<\/p>\n Platner, who denies the allegation, faced considerable pressure from his own party to quit the race. The first-time candidate also has been accused of trying to influence how his replacement is selected \u2014 a claim he also denied. <\/p>\n Platner’s planned departure have left a crucial U.S. Senate race unsettled just months before the November midterm elections. The Maine Democratic Party, which by law is responsible for naming a replacement, announced it’ll move forward with holding a nominating convention to choose a new nominee. Meanwhile, potential contenders have already begun teasing their interest<\/a>. <\/p>\n Here’s what we know about the Maine Senate race and what could be next:<\/p>\n According to Maine law, there’s a narrow provision for replacing general election candidates. Platner needed to step aside voluntarily by 5 p.m. July 13 before other contenders could have been considered. <\/p>\n Once he formally withdraws, the law then says the Maine Democratic Party has the authority to choose a replacement, which must be done by July 27.<\/p>\n The state Democratic Party held an emergency meeting Wednesday, where more than 100 state committee members signed off on holding a nominating convention in the event of a vacancy. <\/p>\n \u201cThere is an unprecedented amount of energy and enthusiasm among Maine Democrats, driven in part by many of the dedicated volunteers and supporters who were inspired by Graham Platner’s campaign,\u201d Maine Democratic leaders said in a joint statement. <\/p>\n It’s incredibly rare for a general election candidate to bow out of a race, in Maine or elsewhere, meaning party officials are scrambling to complete a plan if and when Platner announces he’ll withdraw.<\/p>\n A key question surrounding how Platner is replaced has come down to just how much leverage the oyster farmer and Marine veteran has in this situation.<\/p>\n Maine Democratic Party’s executive director, Devon Murphy-Anderson had previously released a statement accusing Platner\u2019s campaign of repeatedly trying to \u201cput their thumb on the scale\u201d in determining the next Democratic nominee. <\/p>\n Platner’s team responded with a statement saying \u201cat no point has the campaign tried to \u2018put its finger on the scale'” but said they were trying to understand the process. Thousands of Maine residents voted and volunteered for Platner, a progressive who outlasted establishment-backed Gov. Janet Mills, which the campaign believes should count in the decision.<\/p>\n The sparring between Platner’s campaign and the party continued Wednesday. Murphy-Anderson said in a statement that Platner\u2019s campaign \u201cremains focused on distracting from the job of defeating Susan Collins in November with false accusations against us\u201d and the party \u201cremains hyper focused on developing a representative, transparent and inclusive process to select a new nominee when he chooses to withdraw from the race.\u201d<\/p>\n Platner’s campaign sent a survey with a 48-hour deadline to supporters on Wednesday that asked recipients two questions: what message they have for the Maine Democratic Party, and what message they have for Platner. <\/p>\n Separately Wednesday, President Donald Trump was asked if Democrats should be allowed to replace Platner on the Maine Senate ballot.<\/p>\n \u201cSo he won the primary. It\u2019s very hard for them. So, you question whether you believe the woman. A lot of people say big falsehoods,” Trump said. <\/p>\n Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from a NATO summit in Turkey, the president added of Platner: \u201cHe\u2019s in a bind. But, should they be able to do it? Well I guess he\u2019s gonna lose. I\u2019d imagine he\u2019s going to lose.\u201d<\/p>\n One possible contender, Nirav Shah, former director of Maine\u2019s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, has said he was \u201cevaluating\u201d whether to join the race. Shah said he\u2019s been in contact with the Maine Democratic Party about ensuring a possible replacement process is based on \u201copenness, transparency and robustness.\u201d<\/p>\n Troy Jackson, Maine\u2019s former state Senate president, announced Wednesday he was officially entering the race. Jackson unsuccessfully ran to be the Democratic nominee for governor earlier this year with the backing of Platner and Our Revolution, the political organization started by Sen. Bernie Sanders. Jackson had filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to launch a Senate exploratory committee.<\/p>\n Jordan Wood, a former U.S. Senate candidate who then switched to run for Maine\u2019s 2nd District and lost, posted Tuesday that he was \u201ccontinuing conversations\u201d with voters about joining the race.<\/p>\n Other names circulating include Shenna Bellows, the current Maine secretary of state; Dan Kleban, founder of Maine Beer Co.; and Hannah Pingree, now Maine’s Democratic nominee for governor.<\/p>\n