Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, is facing allegations of sexual assault from a former partner, Jenny Racicot. According to a report by Politico, Racicot claims that Platner forced her to have sex while intoxicated in 2021, despite her objections. Platner has denied the allegations, stating that they are categorically false, and is considering his next steps for the campaign.
Following the allegations, several prominent Democratic figures, including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, have called for Platner to withdraw from the race. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced it would not support Platner's campaign if he remains the nominee. Other Democratic leaders, including Rep. Ro Khanna and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ruben Gallego, have also retracted their endorsements.
Platner won the Democratic nomination last month and was set to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. The allegations have led to significant turmoil within the party, with calls for a new candidate to be selected before the July 13 deadline for ballot changes. Collins commented on the situation, labeling the allegations as appalling but stating it is not her role to choose the Democratic nominee.
Platner's campaign has faced scrutiny in the past due to his controversial history, including inflammatory social media comments and a tattoo associated with a Nazi symbol. He has previously apologized for past remarks regarding sexual assault victims. The situation continues to develop as the Democratic Party assesses its options moving forward.