Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner suspended his campaign Wednesday after a previous girlfriend accused him of sexual assault — the final blow in a scandal-plagued run that included a Nazi tattoo, mockery of wounded soldiers, and explicit social media posts.
Platner announced his exit two days after 41-year-old Maine resident Jenny Racicot accused him of forcibly having sex with her in 2021.
“I wanted to directly address the troubling, serious and false allegations against me. Any allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior is categorically false.”
Racicot alleged that Platner entered her home and ejaculated inside of her against her will, according to Politico reporting. She told the New York Times she cut off all contact with Platner after he arrived at her home drunk and engaged in “unsettling” and “reckless” behavior.
The accuser said she sent Platner a private message on Instagram stating the incident was non-consensual and she did not want to hear from him ever again. She deleted all of her text and social media messages with Platner and said she could not recover the Instagram messages she sent. Racicot said she avoided going to the police because she felt uncomfortable telling an officer what happened.
The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.
My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine. pic.twitter.com/RKVyLU76tm
— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) July 9, 2026
“We are suspending our campaign operations,” Platner said in a video statement. “This is incredibly difficult because I know that some will think it’s an admission of guilt and it most certainly is not.”
Democratic operatives turned on him fast. Former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile called on Platner to drop out. Democratic Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna rescinded their endorsements Monday.
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.
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) July 6, 2026
Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also called on Platner to step aside.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chairwoman Kirsten Gillibrand released a joint statement vowing to not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remained on the ballot.
“The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing – violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable. Graham Platner needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate,” the statement read.
Before these allegations, Schumer repeatedly refused to address Platner’s controversies, telling reporters the Democrats would “beat Susan Collins, [and] take back the Senate.”
The rape allegation was the final nail in a coffin already stacked with scandals.
Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, warned his campaign in 2025 that he had sent sexually explicit messages to other women. Platner stated afterwards that his marriage went through “something hard” because of his actions.
Six of Platner’s ex-girlfriends spoke to the Times in June about their former relationships with him. Lyndsey Fifield, a conservative activist, alleged Platner twisted her arm, shoved her into a bedroom and held the door closed so she could not escape.
However, Fifield dated Platner from 2013 to 2015 and did not come out publicly about her relationship until June. She also wrote in a private group chat in summer 2025 that she would “personally go campaign for [Republican Maine Sen. Susan] Collins.”
In October, Platner covered up a chest tattoo that depicted what appeared to be a Totenkopf, a skull symbol closely associated with Nazi SS units. He also made several comments in Reddit posts about masturbating in portable toilets and praised explicit military restroom graffiti.
Some old social media posts showed Platner downplaying the severity of sexual assault and using derogatory remarks against rural white Americans, women and gay people.
In 2019, the Senate-hopeful also mocked a wounded U.S. soldier in response to a viral video of him getting shot by the Taliban, according to the Editorial Board’s Magdi Jacobs.
“This video never gets old. Dumb motherfucker didn’t deserve to live. At least his stupidity and fat ass wheezing are available for all future infantrymen to witness and hold in contempt.”
Platner faced a competitive race against incumbent Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins. Some polls showed Platner leading Collins, including a Tavern Research poll from Friday which showed Platner leading 52% to 48%.
Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the race on April 30, making Platner the only viable Democratic candidate at the time. She signaled on June 1 that she may re-enter the race by saying she is “still on the ballot.”
— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) July 6, 2026
It’s time for Mr. Platner to step aside and be replaced by July 13th. Platner needs time to heal, focus on his family and well-being. Enough. Enough. Read for yourself: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her – POLITICO https://t.co/gm9d0CDAn2
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) July 6, 2026
