Democratic leaders are distancing themselves from Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her, prompting a wave of withdrawn endorsements and raising uncertainty about a race viewed as crucial to the party’s hopes of winning control of the Senate.
According to a Politico report published Monday, Jenny Racicot, a Maine resident who previously dated Platner, alleged that he forced her to have sex after she repeatedly told him to stop during an encounter in 2021. Racicot said Platner had arrived at her home intoxicated. She told Politico that the two had been in an intermittent relationship before the alleged assault, but that she ended contact afterward and informed him the encounter had not been consensual.
In an interview with CNN on Monday evening, Racicot said she chose not to physically resist because she feared Platner, a former Marine, would become more violent. “He violated multiple layers of consent that night,” Racicot said.
Platner denied the accusation and indicated he is evaluating the future of his campaign. “Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false,” Platner said in his video.
He also acknowledged the political consequences of the allegation, saying, “Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we’re taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.”
Platner secured the Democratic nomination last month and was set to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who has represented Maine in the Senate for nearly 30 years and has repeatedly defeated Democratic challengers.
Although Platner has faced controversy throughout his campaign, the latest allegation triggered an immediate backlash within the Democratic Party. Several scheduled town hall events were canceled as party leaders and elected officials publicly urged him to withdraw from the race.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced it would not invest in the Maine Senate contest if Platner remained the nominee.
“Graham Platner needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate and allow Maine Democrats the opportunity to choose a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins,” Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat, said in a joint statement.
The Democratic National Committee also appeared to distance itself from the campaign. In a fundraising email sent hours after Politico published its report, the party solicited donations for Senate races but did not include Maine. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said, “Maine Democrats should select a new nominee.”
Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who had previously continued to support Platner despite earlier controversies, said the new allegation changed his position.
“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna said. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”
