(The Center Square) — Maine Democrats plan to hold a special convention "soon" to nominate a replacement for disgraced U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, with several candidates throwing their hats in the ring hours after he bowed out of the race amid sexual assault claims.

In a statement, the Maine Democratic Party said more than 100 state committee members met Wednesday ahead of Platner's departure from the race and agreed to hold a new convention to tap a replacement if he stepped down. Platner announced late Wednesday he is "suspending" his campaign bid against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in the midterm elections. 

Under the party's plans, potential candidates would have to file a declaration of candidacy with the party and submit 200 signatures. The party didn't say when the convention would be held but said it will be providing more details on "soon" and said "transparency is of the utmost importance" in the nominating process. Democrats have until July 27 to pick a new candidate.

"There is an unprecedented amount of energy and enthusiasm among Maine Democrats, driven in part by many of the dedicated volunteers and supporters who were inspired by Graham Platner’s campaign," the statement said. "We look forward to coming together and harnessing that energy around our new nominee as we work to defeat Susan Collins in November." 

Platner's exit from the race has top progressive Democrats in the Pine Tree State lining up to be considered as a replacement on the ballot. 

Hours after Platner posted a video announcing his departure, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson announced his candidacy and filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the seat. In a statement, Jackson stressed his progressive chops and endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, a liberal icon who had initially backed Platner's campaign.

"There is a powerful movement of working class people in the state of Maine, and millions more across America who are ready to send a progressive fighter to the Senate," Jackson wrote on X. "I’ve been fighting for that movement my whole life — and I’m sure as hell not backing down now, when this fight is needed most."

Dr. Nariv Shah, the state's former Center for Disease Control director who became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic, jumped into the race on Thursday. In his campaign launch statement, Shah vowed to "hold Donald Trump accountable, and fight for a government that delivers for everyday Mainers, not the privileged." 

"Establishment politicians have failed us. To defeat Susan Collins, we need an outsider who is not afraid to take on the broken system she has spent decades upholding," he said. "I'm proud to have dedicated my career to public service, and to have delivered for Mainers in our darkest times. Now, in this unprecedented moment, I'm ready to unite our party and fight for you once again."

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has also expressed interest in being on the ballot but as of Thursday morning hadn't announced her candidacy. 

All three Democrats were candidates to replace termed out Democrat Janet Mills, who had run for the U.S. Senate seat before dropping out. Democrat Hannah Pingree ultimately won the Democratic Party's nomination to run for governor in a ranked choice voting runoff held more than a week after the primary election. It's not clear if Mills will rekindle her candidacy.

Platner, whose meteoric rise as a first-time candidate for U.S. Senate shocked the Democratic political establishment, exited the race Wednesday night after a former girlfriend accused the oyster farmer, in interviews with Politico and CNN, of raping her while intoxicated during an incident in 2021. He has vehemently denied the claims.

But top Democrats — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer — began pulling back their support for the oyster farmer hours after the stories about the alleged sexual assault broke. Platner’s campaign had faced a series of other controversies, including explicit text messages, past online comments and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol that he later covered up.

The Maine race is considered key to Democrats' push to retake the Senate — where Republicans currently have a 53-47 majority.