Scoop: Platner privately told staff he'll formally exit Senate race Monday

Graham Platner privately told staff that he is planning to officially file paperwork to end his Senate campaign on Monday — the drop-dead deadline for him to exit the race.

Why it matters: Though Democrats largely appear to think Platner is done with his bid, his last-minute timing is likely to cause a final pang of anxiety within the party.

Driving the news: Platner made the comments to his team Wednesday night shortly before he announced publicly he was suspending his campaign.

"On Monday, I entire — I intend to file the requisite paperwork with the Secretary of State to remove my name from the ballot," he said, according to a person on the call.

Under state law, Platner has until Monday at 5 p.m. to drop out of the race in time for the party to replace him with a new nominee.

As of about 1 p.m. Thursday, Platner had not officially withdrawn from the race, according to the Maine Secretary of State.

"No official withdrawal notice has yet been received from Mr. Platner," said Jana Spaulding, deputy secretary of state for communications. "A public declaration is not an official withdrawal, and a candidate must formally withdraw to the elections office in writing, including signature."

Platner has sought to influence the process to choose his replacement. On Wednesday, he said in a social media video that the protocol "needs to be driven not from back rooms, but by the will of the people."

It "seems like people are underrating the odds he just doesn't file the actual withdrawal," Liam Kerr, co-founder of the center-left Welcome PAC, told Axios.

Platner allies have described his comments as parting wishes, not hostage-taking.

What they're saying: A Platner spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Between the lines: Progressive and establishment-oriented Democrats are feuding over how to pick the next nominee.

The Maine Democratic Party said earlier this week that Platner's team would have "no role" in determining his successor.

On Wednesday, shortly before Platner said he was suspending his campaign, the state party announced that it would hold a nominating convention to pick his replacement in the event of a vacancy. Several candidates have already jumped into the race.

The convention is expected to include roughly 600 delegates, including 500 people chosen from county parties and 100 state committee members.

Progressives worry that the process will be too insider-driven, while some moderates think it could empower activists on the left. ...