Key Democratic figures demand Platner's withdrawal after sexual assault accusation
Top Democratic leaders intensified calls on Monday for Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, to drop out of the race following a sexual assault allegation detailed in an exclusive Politico report. The accuser, Jenny Racicot, 41, claims Platner forced himself on her in late 2021. Platner denies the allegations, but several prominent Democrats have swiftly withdrawn support.
Schumer and Gillibrand lead the charge
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.”
Other endorsers rescind support
California Representative Ro Khanna, a vocal Platner 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.” Massachusetts 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.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Tuesday morning that ending Platner’s campaign was the “only appropriate response,” telling reporters: “I believe that it’s time for him to drop out of the race.” Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego also wrote on X: “The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious. I am rescinding my endorsement.” New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich, who supported Platner in the primary, said he could “no longer support” his candidacy and that Platner “should step aside.”
Details of the allegation
According to Politico, Racicot said she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for over two years. She alleges that in late 2021, an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her despite her repeated objections. Racicot said she terminated contact after the encounter. The report cited accounts from a man she confided in, recent therapist emails, and messages where she warned an acquaintance about Platner in 2023. No police report was filed at the time.
Platner denied the claims in a statement: “These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue.” His campaign called the allegations “coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives,” noting that “for a year, opponents of this campaign have thrown everything they can at Graham – calling him a Nazi, a war criminal, and a communist. None of it has been true and this is no different.”
Platner’s response and political context
In a video message Monday, Platner again denied the accusations 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. He thanked voters and added: “As Maine goes, so goes the nation.”
Platner, an oyster farmer and former Marine, secured the Democratic nomination and faces Republican Senator Susan Collins in the general election. He has faced previous controversies, including a Nazi-linked tattoo he says he didn’t understand, and has cast himself as a populist anti-oligarchy candidate.
Collins commented on social media: “These allegations are appalling. Nevertheless, it is not up to me to choose the Democratic nominee for Senate.”
Deadline for replacement
Under Maine state law, Platner must drop out by 5 p.m. ET on July 13 for Democrats to replace him. The party would then have until July 27 to select a new nominee.
