Graham Platner formally withdrew from the U.S. Senate race Friday, clearing the way for Democrats to choose a new nominee to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins this fall.

The move was widely expected after Platner was accused of sexual assault in 2021 by a Maine woman, who detailed her experience in a story published by Politico on Monday.

Platner has broadly denied the allegations, but he announced Wednesday that he was suspending his campaign because he had lost political and financial support.

Until he signed the paperwork, the timing of his exit was uncertain. On Thursday, his campaign said he wouldn’t make it official until Monday. Then he released a letter Friday afternoon.

“People are desperate for a change. For this broken system to be righted. For the American experiment to be furthered. Over the past eleven months, thousands and thousands of Mainers poured their hearts, time and talent into a movement to deliver that vision. I will be forever grateful to them,” Platner wrote in the letter formally withdrawing, which was addressed to the Maine Department of Secretary of State.

His devoted followers had urged him to stay in the race and his campaign sent around a 48-hour survey early Wednesday seeking feedback for Platner and the state party. But by Friday, he was out.

Maine Democrats plan to nominate a new candidate at a pop-up convention in the coming days. That convention is expected to include the party’s 100-member state committee, plus another 500 delegates elected by county committees.

Additional details, including the nominating process for candidates, are still being finalized.

The party needs to name a replacement candidate by 5 p.m. on July 27.

“F*ck ICE. Free Palestine. Up the Hearts,” Platner’s letter concluded.