Republicans Plan $8 Million Ad Campaign Against Potential Platner Replacement

Republicans are planning to launch an $8 million ad campaign against a potential replacement for Graham Platner in Maine's Senate race. The campaign, backed by the super PAC Pine Tree Results, aims to introduce a new Democratic nominee to voters before Democrats can. Platner, who has been accused of sexual assault, remains officially in the race but is taking time to reflect on his next steps.

The Pine Tree Results super PAC, which supports Republican Sen. Susan Collins, raised $10.5 million during the first half of the year and has $8 million in cash on hand to spend on the ads. The group pulled its anti-Platner ads on Tuesday and is preparing to define a likely fresh Democratic nominee for voters during a compressed campaign. Among the donors to the pro-Collins super PAC is Blackstone president Jon Gray, who contributed $250,000 before the sexual assault allegations against Platner were reported.

Platner appears to be using his remaining influence to try to choose his successor. According to a person familiar with the campaign's internal discussions, Platner still has to make the decision to leave the ballot, and he has not done so yet. Another person close to Platner's adviser, Morris Katz, said Katz has discussed suspending the campaign with Platner and planned to meet him in Maine to tell him it's not a question of whether he drops out, but when.