Graham Platner’s Maine campaign spends $350,000 on severance after July withdrawal

Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign paid out more than $350,000 in severance and bonuses after the candidate withdrew on July 8, 2026.

The largest single payment was a $20,246 severance check to his wife, Amy Gertner, issued nine days after the withdrawal. Around thirty staff members also received $979 bonuses on July 3 for the June primary win, just days before Platner exited the race.

Consultants collected roughly $350,000 between July and October, with about a third of that amount paid after Platner left the contest. Additional staff severance ranged from $3,500 to $20,000 per person, and a handful of payments went to individuals listed as current college students.

The campaign refunded approximately $200,000 to donors during the same period, including $75,628 in refunds issued after the July withdrawal. Despite the substantial spending, the campaign made no contributions to the Maine Democratic Party or to Troy Jackson, the Democrat who later replaced Platner as the party’s Senate nominee.

Financial filings show the campaign began July with about $1.76 million in the bank, raised an additional $509,000 in contributions, and received $131,000 in refunds and rebates on earlier spending. By September 30, the account held $98,964 and reported no debts. The only other disbursement unrelated to staff or consultants was a $2,737.80 payment to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1837 for union dues.

Party committees had contributed $63,000 to Platner during the campaign, but after his exit the campaign’s filing listed no transfers to the Maine Democratic Party or to any other committee. The lack of party contributions and the sizable severance payouts have drawn attention from watchdog groups monitoring campaign finance compliance.

Federal regulations allow the remaining cash to be donated to charity, refunded to donors, given up to $2,000 to another candidate, transferred to a party committee, or retained for a future run. Platner cannot use the funds for personal expenses, and the final disposition of the nearly $99,000 will be decided in the coming weeks.