Democrat Graham Platner out of Maine Senate race amid sexual assault allegation

Democrat Graham Platner out of Maine Senate race amid sexual assault allegation

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner announced Wednesday that he is suspending his campaign in Maine following a sexual assault allegation, ending an insurgent bid that had survived months of controversy but eventually imploded under pressure from party leadership.

The announcement came in an 11-minute video posted to X. Seated on a wooden deck with traffic audible in the background, Platner stated that his decision was not an admission of guilt. He characterized the allegation as false and categorically false, claiming he was being judged by a corporate media system and the political establishment acting as judge, jury, and executioner.

Platner indicated he will formally file paperwork to withdraw once he is assured that the process to replace him is open, transparent and democratic and reflects the values of his supporters. He specifically criticized Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C., stating,

"People in D.C. need to stay in D.C. Decisions should not be made by people in places of political power."

Graham Platner, candidate, via X

The downfall of the 41-year-old oyster farmer and military veteran was accelerated on Monday after Politico reported an allegation from Jenny Racicot, 41. Racicot, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years, alleged that Platner entered her Maine home uninvited while intoxicated and forced her to have sex after she told him to stop. In an interview with CNN, Racicot said she had been raped by definition.

Following the report, support from high-level backers vanished. Sen. Bernie Sanders said he recommended Platner step aside in light of the very serious allegations. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also called for his exit, with Schumer urging him to do so immediately. Rep. Ro Khanna, who had previously endorsed Platner, stated that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line.

The Maine Democratic Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also ended their backing. Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon-Murphy Anderson responded to Platner's demands regarding the replacement process, stating the campaign has no role in determining our next Democratic nominee or how that process looks.

Platner's rise had been viewed as a generational shift against 73-year-old Republican Sen. Susan Collins. A populist who focused on economic inequality, universal health care, and affordable housing, Platner consolidated support from voters frustrated with the party establishment. His momentum led Gov. Janet Mills—the establishment favorite—to suspend her own campaign in late April before Platner won the nomination on June 9.

However, the campaign was plagued by a series of scandals:

• Online Conduct: Reddit posts from 2009 to 2021 surfaced, showing Platner using anti-gay slurs, criticizing rural Americans as racist and stupid, endorsing political violence, and dismissing sexual assault in the military.
• Nazi Imagery: Platner had a skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest, recognized as a Nazi symbol. He claimed he got it while drinking with fellow Marines in Croatia in 2007 and was unaware of its history. While he told the Pod Save America podcast he was not a secret Nazi, a former girlfriend told The New York Times he joked about the tattoo and called it my Totenkopf.
• Personal Conduct: Reports in June detailed sexually explicit messages Platner exchanged with other women while married and accounts from three former girlfriends describing him as physically threatening, demeaning, and angry.

Platner previously attributed these controversies to combat-related PTSD, framing his campaign around the power of redemption. Despite this, a late June New York Times poll showed him in a virtual dead heat with Collins.

Democrats view Maine as a critical state to regain control of the Senate, needing a net gain of four seats. They must now replace Platner on the ballot to challenge Collins. Under state law, a replacement must be named by July 27, provided the original candidate withdraws by 5 p.m. On July 13.

The state Democratic Party held an emergency meeting Wednesday, where more than 100 committee members agreed to hold a nominating convention to select a successor. Potential candidates exploring the bid include Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former state senator Troy Jackson, economist Nirav Shah, and Dan Kleban. Actor Patrick Dempsey, however, wrote in a newspaper opinion piece that he will not seek the seat.