Graham Platner has officially withdrawn his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Maine, the Democratic Party announced Friday. The withdrawal comes days after Platner stated he was suspending his campaign in the wake of a sexual assault allegation, which he has vehemently denied.

Platner shared a letter addressed to the Maine Secretary of State's office via the social media platform X, formally stating his decision. This move concludes his bid to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming general election.

The Maine Secretary of State's office confirmed receipt of the formal withdrawal notice. Platner had secured a significant victory in the state's Democratic primary in June, garnering over 70% of the vote, positioning him as the party's challenger against Senator Collins. His campaign had focused on an "outsider" appeal, addressing wealth inequality.

The decision to withdraw followed growing pressure from prominent Democrats, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who had previously endorsed Platner. The circumstances leading to his exit were detailed in a report published by Politico, which included an allegation from Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend. Racicot accused Platner of sexual assault five years prior, an allegation Platner has consistently labeled as "categorically false."

In response to Platner's withdrawal, the Maine Democratic Party announced that a convention to select a new nominee will be held on July 25. This convention is scheduled to occur just two days before the July 27 deadline for candidate nominations. The selection process will involve 601 delegates representing Maine's 16 counties.

The convention delegates will consist of 101 members of the Democratic State Committee, who are elected by voters, and 500 delegates appointed from each county. Voting will proceed in rounds until a candidate achieves a majority, and the proceedings will be livestreamed.

Maine Democratic State Committee Chair Charlie Dingman expressed commitment to a "fair, representative, and as transparent as possible" convention. He emphasized the party's unified goal of defeating Susan Collins and winning the Senate seat.

In his withdrawal letter, Platner cited a public desire for change and a "broken system" needing to be righted. He conveyed that voters are "desperate for change" and for "the American experiment to be furthered."