Graham Platner Withdraws from Maine Senate Race Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate campaign – Washington — Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner has pulled out of the race in Maine, citing a sexual assault claim from a woman he dated five years ago. The decision, announced in an 11-minute social media video, ends a campaign that has been overshadowed by personal disputes. Platner insisted the accusations were “false” and “not real,” but acknowledged the intense pressure from state and national Democrats forced his exit.
A Call for Democratic Process
Platner emphasized that his withdrawal was not a confession of guilt, but a response to the political machinery that had “taken away” his campaign’s autonomy. “This was the last week to try to get me off the ballot, and that’s why this is occurring,” he stated in the video. He also urged the Maine Democratic Party to adopt an “open, transparent and democratic” approach to selecting a replacement, arguing the ballot line belonged to the voters, not party insiders.
“My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine,” Platner said.
Under Maine law, Platner must officially withdraw by Monday at 5 p.m. The move complicates a closely contested race, as Democrats aim to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. The state party has until July 27 to appoint a new nominee, with plans to hold a convention to finalize the choice. Several prominent Democrats have expressed interest in stepping in, though Platner will not be involved in the process.
The Allegation and Accuser’s Account
A Maine woman, Jenny Racicot, told Politico and CNN that Platner entered her home uninvited in late 2021 while intoxicated, forcing himself on her despite her requests to stop. The two met on a dating app in 2019, initially maintaining a casual and consensual relationship. Racicot described the incident as a violation of her consent, with Platner disregarding her boundaries on multiple occasions.
“He violated multiple layers of consent that night,” Racicot said. “By coming into my home when I asked him not to, and by advancing on me when I told him not to, and furthermore, another incident that I had told him not to do.”
“In that moment, I evaluated my safety. … I basically felt safest just complying,” she added.
Political Fallout and Support Withdrawals
Platner’s campaign labeled the allegations as “desperate smears” orchestrated by out-of-state political operatives. However, the controversy prompted swift action from key figures, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who led the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Both urged Platner to step down, with the DSCC indicating it would not fund the race if he remained on the ballot.
The Senate Majority PAC also redirected resources away from the Maine race, significantly weakening Platner’s campaign. Several top Democratic representatives, including California’s Ro Khanna and Arizona’s Ruben Gallego, rescinded their endorsements shortly after the story gained traction. Even independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a key supporter, advised Platner to “step aside” in a Tuesday statement.
With the June 13 deadline to remove Platner’s name from the ballot approaching, the Maine Democratic Party faces the challenge of quickly finding a replacement to maintain its chances in a pivotal Senate race.
