rights
Gay Politician Jordan Wood Announces Bid to Replace Graham Platner in Maine Senate Race
By Mathew Rodriguez at them.
· July 9, 2026
· 4 min read
Out gay politician Jordan Wood has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Graham Platner, the Maine Democrat who was set to face off against longtime GOP senator Susan Collins in November. Wood announced his intentions after Platner dropped out of the race on Wednesday following allegations of sexual
Key takeaway “It's official: I’m running to defeat Susan Collins.
Why this matters
Jordan Wood's candidacy in the Maine Senate race brings a unique perspective to the table, one that could potentially galvanize support from LGBTQ+ individuals and progressive voters nationwide. As an out gay politician, Wood's presence in the race highlights the ongoing struggle for representation and inclusivity in American politics. His commitment to progressive policies, such as Medicare for All and ending Citizens United, may also resonate with voters seeking systemic change. Wood's criticism of Graham Platner's past behavior, including antigay Reddit posts and a Nazi-era tattoo, underscores the importance of accountability and sensitivity to marginalized communities in public office. With Wood's candidacy, the Maine Senate race has become a national test case for the viability of progressive, LGBTQ+-identified candidates in mainstream politics, and his success or failure will likely have implications for future elections and the broader national conversation around LGBTQ+ rights and representation.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: them. ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Out gay politician Jordan Wood has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Graham Platner, the Maine Democrat who was set to face off against longtime GOP senator Susan Collins in November. Wood announced his intentions after Platner dropped out of the race on Wednesday following allegations of sexual
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by them. and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mathew Rodriguez at them.. 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 .