Graham Platner Faces Crisis as Democrats Demand Immediate Withdrawal Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have joined a growing chorus urging Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race following sexual assault allegations.

Platner, who recently emerged as a progressive newcomer winning key Democratic primaries, stated he is “taking the time” to consider his next steps after Politico reported in recent days that he sexually assaulted a woman he was dating in 2021.

In a joint statement, Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the DSCC, condemned the allegations: “The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing — violence, abuse, and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable.” They further stated that “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. The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot.”

Under Maine law, Democrats have until July 13 for Platner to withdraw. If he does, the state party would have two weeks to select a replacement nominee.

Schumer had initially supported Platner only after his preferred candidate, Gov. Janet Mills, was rejected by voters. Mills, 78, suspended her campaign shortly before the June 9 primary.

Platner’s campaign faced renewed turmoil Monday when Politico published detailed allegations from Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine woman who claimed that Platner sexually assaulted her in 2021. Racicot told Politico: “I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me. I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.'”

Platner denied the allegations but indicated he is weighing his campaign’s future. He stated: “I wanted to directly address the troubling, serious, and false allegations against me. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false.”

Platner has faced scrutiny in recent months over online posts, sexting with other women after getting married, and criticism regarding a tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol.

He has disputed or pushed back on aspects of the allegations and has sought to reassure voters that he has changed from earlier periods of his life.

Following Politico’s report, Schumer and the DSCC were not alone in withdrawing support. Maine’s Democratic Party stated: “Over the past several weeks, multiple women have made serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner. Today’s statements take those allegations even further.” The party called on Platner to withdraw as the Democratic nominee.

Other progressive figures also withdrew their endorsements, including Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona. Khanna wrote: “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.” Gallego stated: “The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious. I am rescinding my endorsement.”