Maine State Representative Says Platner Encouraged Her Senate Bid

Maine state Rep. Valli Geiger said Graham Platner called her Monday night, praised her as a "fighter," and asked whether he could put her name forward if he withdraws from the Democratic Senate nomination. Geiger told local outlet WMTW that Platner encouraged her to consider running but has not formally dropped out.

Platner's campaign confirmed he encouraged Geiger to consider running if he stepped aside but said he had not made an endorsement decision.

Geiger is a third-term Democratic state representative from Rockland representing a coastal House district that includes Rockland, Criehaven Township, Matinicus Isle Plantation, the Muscle Ridge Islands, North Haven and part of Owls Head. She serves on the Labor Committee and the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.

Before entering the legislature, Geiger served six years on the Rockland City Council, including one year as mayor, and four years on the Rockland Comprehensive Planning Commission, three of them as chair. She holds a master's degree in sustainable design, built her own passive-solar, net-zero-energy house, and previously worked as a nurse at Pen Bay Medical Center and as director of the Healthreach Hospice program.

Platner has denied the allegation made against him. m. on July 13, the Maine Democratic Party can replace him on the general election ballot by selecting a new nominee through its party process, with the replacement required to be chosen by July 27.