Graham Platner, the scandal-plagued Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine, suspended his campaign on Wednesday after a woman accused him of sexual assault. In an 11-minute video posted on social media, Platner denied the allegations and blamed “larger forces” and establishment Democrats for his downfall, drawing comparisons to Donald Trump’s post-election rhetoric.
Platner’s Graceless Exit
The video, recorded outside his home in Maine at 4pm, showed Platner in a grey T-shirt against a grey fence. He began with a deep sigh, stating the allegations were false and that he learned of them through press inquiries with no time to respond. He criticized the “corporate media system and the political establishment” for acting as “judge, jury and executioner.”
According to Politico, several close advisers pleaded with Platner to strike a conciliatory tone, but he insisted on assailing establishment Democrats as a condition of dropping out. The video lasted 11 minutes, with Platner stroking his moustache and beard, displaying his wedding ring, and making emotional pauses.
Allegations and Campaign Collapse
The suspension came after Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident, accused Platner of drunkenly forcing her to have sex despite her telling him to stop. Other women also came forward with accusations of disturbing behavior, and Platner’s own offensive social media posts and a Nazi tattoo surfaced. Platner denies all allegations.
His campaign, which began 323 days earlier with a glossy horizontal video of him farming oysters and chopping wood, was an insurgent progressive bid. The suspension leaves Democrats a narrow window to field a replacement against Republican Senator Susan Collins, a top target in the November fight for the Senate.
Reactions and Criticism
Emily’s List responded on X: “11 minutes and zero accountability.” Political strategist David Axelrod wrote that Platner played the martyr, adding, “Platner built an admirable movement. But there was nothing admirable about the way he said goodbye.”
Donald Trump, who faces his own sexual misconduct allegations, commented: “It’s really a question of whether or not you believe the woman. A lot of people say big falsehoods.”
Platner ended his video by telling supporters to “keep fighting” and that “we’re going to win some day,” without expressing contrition or sympathy for his accusers.
