Graham Platner drops out of U.S. Senate race

UPDATE (5:30 PM): Graham Platner announced Wednesday evening he is dropping out of the U.S. Senate race.

In a post on X, Platner, who won the Maine primary election last month, wrote, "My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine."

The announcement comes after a rape allegation from a former girlfriend, which Platner has denied.

Maine Democrats will have until July 27 to choose a new nominee to face Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in the November election.

(CNN, KYMA) - Maine's closely-watched U.S. Senate race could soon take another dramatic turn.

Democratic nominee Graham Platner is expected to announce whether he's ending his campaign after a rape allegation from a former girlfriend.

Platner has denied the accusation and says he's reflecting on the best path forward.

Support for Platner has been hemorrhaging in the wake of the allegation.

Sources say campaign advisers no longer believe he can remain in the race, and a decision could come as soon as Wednesday.

If Platner withdraws before the July 13 deadline, Maine Democrats will have until July 27 to choose a new nominee for the consequential Senate contest.