Platner's voters are reeling as Maine Democratic Party races to choose his replacement

Politics Platner's voters are reeling as Maine Democratic Party races to choose his replacement July 14, 20265:00 AM ET Tamara Keith Maine Senate hopeful, Democrat David Costello, speaks with a potential voter as he gathers signatures, required to be considered at the party's convention, in downtown Brunswick, Maine on July 12. Tamara Keith/NPR hide caption toggle caption Tamara Keith/NPR BRUNSWICK, Maine – On a sunny Sunday, Senate hopeful David Costello worked the sidewalk in downtown Brunswick asking for signatures. "Woud you happen to be a registered Democrat?" he asked one woman before engaging in a back and forth conversation. She asks if he's progressive. "Very progressive," Costello said. Costello is one of several Maine Democrats who see the fall of Graham Platner's senate campaign as an opportunity to represent Maine in Washington. Platner won June's Democratic primary election handily. But allegations of rape by a former romantic partner last week forced him to drop out of the race. It leaves Maine Democrats scrambling to find a new nominee before the July 27 deadline to put a name on the ballot. Platner denies the allegations. Sponsor Message The Maine Democratic Party will hold a convention on July 25 where 601 delegates will choose that nominee. That candidate will need to capitalize on the enthusiasm Platner generated to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. An unstoppable incumbent or a top pick-up opportunity? Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, leans down to listen to a young paradegoer at the annual Moxie Day Parade is Lisbon, Maine on July 11. Susan Sharon/Maine Public hide caption toggle caption Susan Sharon/Maine Public Collins remained quiet at the end of Platner's campaign but at the annual Moxie Day parade Saturday in Lisbon, Maine, she walked with volunteers in red shirts. "People appreciate the fact that I provide steady leadership — and the word steady does come up a lot," Collins said at the parade, "and that I continue to work really hard for...