Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner is under intense pressure to withdraw from the race. The pressure follows a rape allegation from a former partner.
Top Democratic leaders, including Senators Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders, are urging Platner to step down. The Democratic Party has announced it will withhold financial support from his campaign if he remains the nominee.
Prediction markets reflect this crisis. They price a 98% probability that Platner will drop out before the midterms. This marks a sharp increase from just days ago.
The deadline for Platner to withdraw is imminent. If he steps down, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to select a replacement candidate. This turns the Maine Senate race into a critical battleground for the upcoming elections.