Graham Platner Ends U.S. Senate Campaign After Misconduct Allegations

Graham Platner's Senate campaign is over ... the embattled Democratic nominee has officially stepped aside amid a growing misconduct scandal, he announced Wednesday night.

Platner's withdrawal comes just days after multiple misconduct allegations rocked his campaign ... leaving Democrats scrambling to salvage the race.

Platner posted an emotional video on Wednesday officially announcing that he will be filing the paperwork to drop out of the race. Platner teared up as he told Mainers that he was suspending his campaign and to "keep fightin'" because "we're gonna win someday."

Platner has until Monday at 5 PM to file his withdrawal paperwork, and party leaders have until July 27 to decide on a replacement candidate to take on GOP Sen. Susan Collins.

Even as he bowed out, Platner repeatedly insisted the allegations against him are false ... arguing he wasn't leaving because of the accusations themselves, but because Democratic leaders, major donors and the political establishment had effectively stripped his campaign of the resources it needed to survive.

Platner took a strong aim against the establishment ... emphasizing that the decision of who replaces him should be up to Mainers, not the chosen few in the Maine Democratic Party. He also urged party leaders to make the selection process open and transparent ... insisting the next nominee should reflect the will of the voters, not back-room political decisions.

Amy Gertner, Platner's wife, was heavily mentioned in the video ... as the former candidate said that they made this decision together.