Senate race

The meltdown in Maine’s Senate race risks Democrats' chance to make Donald Trump a lame duck president. Democrats previously aimed to prevent Trump's return to the White House but failed, and now face another crisis in the midterms.

Graham Platner withdrew from Maine’s Senate race following a new sexual allegation, prompting Democrats to seek replacements to challenge GOP Sen. Susan Collins. Potential candidates include Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows, and others, with the Maine Democratic Party required to select a successor by July 27.

Maine Democrat Graham Platner has dropped out of his Senate race following sexual assault allegations he denies. He announced his decision in a social media video on Wednesday. Jessi Mitchell anchors the special report.

Graham Platner has not yet officially submitted paperwork to withdraw from the Senate race, according to a spokesperson for Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' office. Platner announced he is suspending his campaign but intends to file withdrawal paperwork, while Bellows is being considered as a possible replacement.

Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, suspended his campaign amid a rape allegation, allowing the Maine Democratic Party to replace him before a critical deadline. Platner's exit impacts the Senate race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, which is pivotal for the GOP's Senate majority.

Patrick Dempsey confirmed he will not run for a Maine Senate seat, ending speculation about his candidacy. The decision comes as embattled Democratic nominee Graham Platner has paused his campaign amid sexual assault allegations. Dempsey emphasized his belief that his current life's work allows more effective contributions than political office.

Graham Platner's Senate campaign faces collapse due to a sexual assault allegation, but the article highlights a broader trend of outsider candidates bypassing party vetting processes. Platner's candidacy, which initially defied Democratic leaders in Maine, reflects a growing pattern of anti-establishment campaigns in U.S. politics.

Graham Platner may withdraw from the Senate race in Maine. The article highlights the potential search for a replacement if he exits.

Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed clashed during a Michigan Senate primary debate. The debate, hosted by Nexstar’s WOOD TV8, occurred after Mallory McMorrow withdrew from the race, making Stevens and El-Sayed the remaining Democratic candidates.

Maine Democrats, including former allies, have called on Graham Platner to end his Senate campaign. This might lead to a replacement in the race.

Democrats are working to save a Senate race in Maine after Graham Platner faces a new rape allegation. Platner has denied the accusation but is losing support, with his campaign's future uncertain.

Graham Platner faces rape allegations, prompting discussions among NY Post readers about Democrats urging him to exit the Senate race. Letters to the Editor on July 8, 2026, highlight the controversy.

Democratic factions are competing to select a replacement for Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race. Potential candidates and their backers are moving quickly to gain an advantage in the contest.

Graham Platner, the Senate nominee in Maine, is considering his future following an allegation of sexual assault. The article examines the potential impact of his exit on the race and broader American politics.

Democratic figures in Maine urge Graham Platner to withdraw from the Senate race following a sexual assault allegation. Jenny Racicot, a former partner of Platner, claimed he forced her to have sex despite objections. Platner denied the allegations, stating they are 'categorically untrue.'

A new poll from Wedgewood Polls indicates 75% of Maine voters would want Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out if another scandal occurs. The survey focuses on the Maine Senate race and highlights public sentiment following potential controversies.

Democrats in Maine are urging Graham Platner to exit the Senate race following a sexual assault accusation. The discussion also covers the Democratic Party's direction ahead of the midterms and events in Washington during the nation's 250th anniversary.

The Democratic primary in Michigan pits moderate Rep. Haley Stevens, backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, against progressive Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The August 4, 2026, primary winner will face former Rep. Mike Rogers in the November midterm election for a Senate seat critical to Democratic majority hopes. Progressive state Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign, narrowing the race to two candidates.

A new Fox News poll indicates a closely contested Senate race in Iowa between Democrat Josh Turek and Republican Ashley Hinson, with Turek holding a 4-point lead. Iowans view Donald Trump negatively by 13 points, and the race could shift based on voter enthusiasm and demographic support patterns.

President Trump announced a Republican national convention in Dallas on September 9-10, the first-ever for midterms, to boost voter turnout. The event aims to focus attention on congressional races, including a competitive Senate race in Texas between James Talarico and Ken Paxton, and follows Republican procedural changes to enable the gathering.

A survey indicates the Texas Senate race is a toss-up between state Rep. James Talarico and state Attorney General Ken Paxton, with both candidates at 47 percent support among likely voters. The New York Times/Siena poll found the candidates virtually tied in the Lone Star State.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declined to rule out a future Senate campaign after three progressive candidates won New York primary elections. She expressed being 'inspired and encouraged' by the results, which fueled speculation about her potential 2028 presidential bid and a possible Senate race against Chuck Schumer.

Gov. JB Pritzker is hosting a Chicago fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a high-stakes Senate race. Talarico raised $40.2 million in the primary, and the election is considered Democrats' best chance to win a Senate seat in Texas. The race follows a Texas Democratic walkout to Illinois to block GOP redistricting plans.

The 2026 North Carolina Senate race features Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley in a contest that could influence Congress control. The state has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since Obama's 2008 victory.

Republicans in Georgia face a challenging Senate race as Mike Collins, their nominee, competes against Jon Ossoff, a well-funded incumbent. Ossoff's strong fundraising and Collins' financial and primary struggles raise concerns for Republicans about unseating him in November.

Kevin Hern won the Republican primary for the Oklahoma Senate race. He received President Trump's endorsement during the primary campaign.

Georgia Republicans are deciding Senate and governor nominees in runoffs, with President Donald Trump endorsing Rep. Mike Collins for Senate and Burt Jones for governor. Outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp later endorsed Jones, while billionaire Rick Jackson's $100 million campaign challenges both races. The Senate race is critical for Democrats to retain Jon Ossoff's seat, with Collins and Dooley debating electability and ethics.

President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins for Georgia’s Senate race despite questioning Collins’ hardline pro-life stance during a private meeting. Trump’s late endorsement surprised Collins’ aides and shifted the GOP Senate runoff, challenging Gov. Brian Kemp’s preferred candidate. Collins, representing a deep-red district, supports Georgia’s heartbeat law with exceptions for rape, incest, or life-threatening pregnancies.

President Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp are opposing each other in Georgia's GOP Senate primary, with Trump endorsing Rep. Mike Collins and Kemp supporting former college football coach Derek Dooley. The race highlights a Republican Party leadership conflict.

Alaska's top election official disqualified retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan from running as a Republican against Sen. Dan S. Sullivan in a competitive Senate race. The ruling removes a candidate with a similar name from the ballot.

Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico received approximately 50% of his $8.5 million in fundraising from out-of-state donors during the first quarter of 2026, compared to 25% for Republican nominee Ken Paxton, who raised $850,000. Talarico's campaign highlighted Texas roots while drawing major support from donors in New York and California, raising concerns about reliance on non-Texas interests.

Republicans argue that the Senate campaign by Dan J. Sullivan was planned by Democrats to confuse voters and hurt Senator Dan S. Sullivan, a second-term lawmaker. The issue arises from the similarity in names between the two candidates in Alaska's Senate race.

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation is a focal point in Maine's Senate race. Sen. Susan Collins' vote to confirm Kavanaugh has been repeatedly mentioned in the campaign.

Senate Republicans warn that scandal-ridden candidate Graham Platner remains a credible threat to Sen. Susan Collins in Maine's Senate race, which they describe as critical to retaining GOP control. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) cautions against underestimating Platner despite his controversies, noting Democrats have rallied behind him and he has outpaced Collins in fundraising.

Graham Platner won the Democratic primary to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in a key Senate race. Recent allegations of sexting and toxic conduct from ex-girlfriends have caused controversy in his campaign.

The Senate race in Maine is focused on primary elections where Graham Platner leads the progressive side against presumptive Republican nominee Susan Collins. The race is described as heated, with Platner's campaign noted for scandals.

A Senate race in Maine has drawn large crowds of enthusiastic supporters for Graham Platner, though many Democrats express anxiety about his candidacy. The campaign highlights divided reactions among voters.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, refused to comment on Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner's sexting scandal as Maine voters prepare to vote. Republicans have criticized Platner, while Democrats continue to support him despite the allegations.

Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, stated that Republican Sen. Susan Collins' potential reelection concerns her more than allegations against Graham Platner. Escobar also criticized Texas AG Ken Paxton's controversies and noted some Democrats defend Platner despite his scandals, including explicit messages and a Nazi-symbol tattoo.

David Brooks of The Atlantic and Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW discuss GOP lawmakers' defiance of President Donald Trump and fresh scandals in a key Senate race with Amna Nawaz.