Graham Platner can be replaced as the Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine if he withdraws from the race by next Monday. If he exits, the Maine Democratic Party would have until July 27 to choose a new nominee.

This situation stems from a recent Politico report accusing Platner of sexually assaulting a woman he previously dated. Platner has denied the accusation, saying he is taking time to reconsider his political future.

Maine law does not specify the process for selecting a replacement candidate in such a scenario, according to Kate McBrien, the chief of staff to Shenna Bellows, Maine’s secretary of state. Party Chairman Charles Dingman, along with other leaders, has already urged Platner to drop out.

Leading Democratic Party officials in Maine are weighing options for replacing Platner if needed. Their discussions have included possibilities such as organizing a pop-up convention on the weekend of July 25 or holding a statewide caucus to effectively redo the primary election, as shared by individuals privy to internal discussions.

The 100-member state party committee is not considered a viable option for choosing the replacement, according to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Platner’s withdrawal would introduce a unique situation, as no Maine candidate who won their primary has ever withdrawn before the general election, McBrien noted.

If Platner exits, potential replacements include previous gubernatorial candidates like Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, and Nirav Shah, former director of Maine’s public health agency. Jordan Wood, who lost a House district primary, is also a contender.

Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign earlier due to funding issues, is seen as an unlikely choice. She did not respond to inquiries on Monday.

Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination last June, following Mills’ campaign suspension. The developments in this case continue to unfold.