rights
A gay man could become Maine's next US senator
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· July 9, 2026
· 4 min read
Former Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner officially dropped out of Maine's race Wednesday night in response to a woman he dated credibly accusing him of raping her in 2021. The rape accusation was the final nail in the coffin of a scandal-plagued candidacy. The party is now scrambling to re
Key takeaway Trump Jordan Wood threw his hat in the ring for the Senate seat in 2025 but decided to run for the House of Representatives instead after his congressional district's incumbent announced his retirement.
Why this matters
Jordan Wood's candidacy for the US Senate seat in Maine marks a significant moment in the state's political landscape, as he could become the first openly gay senator from Maine. Wood's progressive platform, which includes passing Medicare for All and ending Citizens United, may resonate with voters who are looking for a change from incumbent Sen. Susan Collins. The Democratic Party's scramble to replace former candidate Graham Platner has created an opportunity for Wood to gain traction, despite being initially overlooked by some analysts. Wood's decision to run without corporate PAC money and his commitment to working-class issues may appeal to voters who feel disenfranchised by the current political system. As the election unfolds, it will be crucial to watch how Wood's candidacy is received by voters and whether he can gain the support of the Democratic establishment, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LGBTQ Nation . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner officially dropped out of Maine's race Wednesday night in response to a woman he dated credibly accusing him of raping her in 2021. The rape accusation was the final nail in the coffin of a scandal-plagued candidacy. The party is now scrambling to re
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .