Cooper to Maine Secy. Of State: There Are Criticisms that If Platner Drops out, the New Dem Nominee Is Someone Voters Did Not Choose

EXCERPT:

COOPER: "To those who are suggesting that this process for replacing Platner, assuming Platner steps aside, would be undemocratic, some have compared it to Vice President Harris replacing President Biden in 2024 as being undemocratic, what do you say to criticism that if Platner drops out, the new Democratic nominee is going to be someone voters did not actually choose?"

BELLOWS: "So, as secretary of state, I can speak to the process, and Maine law is very clear that primary candidates can withdraw up to 5 P.M. on the second Tuesday in July, and then the party can choose a replacement candidate up to the fourth Monday, that‘s July 27th, by 5 P.M.. The law is silent on how the parties choose their candidates. I know the Maine Democratic Party has pledged to be as open and transparent as possible. I think it‘s really important that as many Democratic voters have a voice in this process when Graham Platner withdraws. I think that‘s really important, that focus on participation and inclusion."