Graham Platner’s campaign inspired many thousands of votersin Maine and beyond with his message that they must assert their power and elect representatives who will stand up for ordinary Americans against autocracy, billionaire interests and politics as usual.
As he said in stepping down from his Senate campaign last night, that campaign was about the message more than the man.
The shock and disappointment of many voters today is palpable and understandable. But the energy and commitment of those who supported his progressive goals must continue. Many of his organizers, and they are formidable, have signed on with the Maine Democratic Party to continue the work. In speaking with some of them since last night, it is clear we are united in keeping our focus on moving ahead toward the same goals. And we can do it. The momentum toward those goals has not only been evident in the Platner campaign, but it’s apparent across the country. There is massive Democratic enthusiasm and there’s no reason it needs to ebb now.
While details of how we move forward here in Maine are still being worked out, here’s what I can tell you.
The Democratic State Committee, whose members include many people who supported Graham Platner, held a meeting late yesterday. The importance of a fair process in selecting a new candidate cannot be underestimated – we can’t afford any perception that a few influential people put a thumb on the scale. There is agreement that we need to proceed as democratically as possible in the short timeframe we have before the state-imposed July 27 deadline for selecting a new candidate.
Plans are in the works for an in-person nominating convention where delegates representing each county will vote to choose the candidate. This will involve hundreds of people.
The Hancock County Democratic Committee will be holding an emergency caucus in the coming days to elect delegates to represent us at the statewide convention.
The race for the Democratic Senate nomination will be open to anyone who meets qualifications – what those will be are still being worked out.
All of this is complicated by the fact that this situation is unprecedented in Maine, and the state party had no process on the books to guide it.
Needless to say, the planning is a fast-moving work in progress. How we select the delegates, conduct the convention and choose its location are to be determined.
The chairs and vice chairs of county Democratic committees across Maine are meeting tonight to help hammer out more details. We are hearing loud and clear from voters and local Democratic leaders as we proceed and we will be making every effort to respect and accommodate your voices and choices. And we promise to keep you informed.
Marcia Myers, HCDC Chair
