Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for US Senate in Maine, faced mounting pressure to withdraw from the race on Monday after a woman accused him of sexual assault in a Politico report. Platner denied the claims, but several top Democratic figures quickly called on him to step down.
Democratic Leaders Unite Against Platner
In a joint statement, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair Kirsten Gillibrand said Platner should “immediately withdraw.” “The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing – violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable,” they said. “The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot.”
Maine’s Democratic party leadership also urged Platner to withdraw. Representative Ro Khanna, a vocal supporter, wrote on X: “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren, who endorsed Platner in March, stated: “There can be no tolerance for sexual assault. With so much at stake, the best path forward is for Graham Platner to step aside as the Democratic nominee and address these serious allegations outside this Senate race.”
Further Endorsements Revoked
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday morning that ending Platner’s campaign was the “only appropriate response.” “I believe that it’s time for him to drop out of the race,” Mamdani told reporters. Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona posted on X: “The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious. I am rescinding my endorsement.” Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, who supported Platner in the primary, said he could “no longer support” his candidacy. “He should step aside,” Heinrich said in a statement.
The Allegation
According to the Politico report published Monday, Jenny Racicot, 41, who previously dated Platner, said he forced her to have sex despite repeated objections. Racicot told the outlet she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years. She alleges that in late 2021, an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her. Racicot said she terminated contact after the encounter. The report cited accounts from a man Racicot later confided in, recent therapist emails, and messages where she warned an acquaintance about Platner in 2023.
Platner denied the claims in a statement to Politico: “These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue.” In a video message Monday, Platner again said the accusations were false but acknowledged the political reality. “We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to and the goal of defeating Susan Collins,” he said.
Platner's History and Campaign Response
Platner, an oyster farmer and former marine veteran, secured the Democratic nomination to face Republican Senator Susan Collins in the general election. He has faced previous scandals, including a Nazi-linked tattoo that he later covered up. Platner’s campaign said the candidate “vigorously denies” the claims and called them “coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives.” The statement added: “It is not a coincidence that this story comes a week before the ballot deadline, just as the previous false allegations came a week before the primary.”
Racicot was one of several women who spoke to the New York Times for a June story about Platner’s “unsettling” behavior with women he dated. She told Politico she hesitated to make her claim public due to a “huge moral conflict” between supporting Platner’s politics and not supporting him as a person. She also said she did not share the sexual assault claims with the New York Times because she did not want to be known as a rape victim.
Political Implications and Deadline
Senator Collins weighed in on social media: “These allegations are appalling. Nevertheless, it is not up to me to choose the Democratic nominee for Senate.” If Democrats decide to replace Platner, he must drop out by 5pm ET on July 13, according to state law. The party then has until July 27 to select a replacement candidate.
