Democrats Abandon Maine Senate Candidate After Sexual Assault Allegation

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Democrats who previously backed Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner are fleeing in droves following a new sexual assault allegation published by Politico.

Jenny Racicot, 41, accused Platner of sexual assault, claiming he arrived at her home extremely intoxicated and forced himself upon her in 2021.

Platner denied the allegations in a statement, calling them “categorically untrue.”

“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.”

Despite his denials, prominent Democrats quickly turned on the political newcomer who just over two months earlier had amassed a polling lead significant enough to drive Maine’s sitting governor from the state’s Democratic Senate primary.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Sen. Kristin Gillibrand issued a joint statement demanding Platner withdraw immediately.

“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 statement read. “The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot.”

Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna, who said in June that “evidence of sexual assault” would end his support for Platner, withdrew his endorsement shortly after the new allegations surfaced.

“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,” Khanna wrote on X.

Democratic New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich weighed in, saying, “These are very serious allegations and they should be treated as such,” in a statement to NBC News.

Democrat Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego joined his colleagues, writing in a social media post, “The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious. I am rescinding my endorsement.”

Numerous figures within the Democrat Party’s media infrastructure also called for Platner’s withdrawal from the Maine Senate race, including Harry Sisson and David Hogg.

A major figure in the Democrat Party’s political operations, Neera Tanden, posted several times on X — appearing to take a victory lap over the news — writing, “Maybe taking a chance on someone who has never won any primary or any general election is unwise,” and “I do wonder what people knew and when did they know it.”

Tanden was joined by several major Democrat-aligned PACs, including AIPAC Tracker and End Citizens United.

The Maine Democrat Party called for Platner to withdraw from the race.

Platner has faced numerous allegations of misconduct throughout his campaign, including a June report published by the New York Times that detailed “intimidating and disturbing” behavior with ex-girlfriends. The report featured a statement from Racicot in which she described an incident with Platner as “reckless” and “unsettling”; however, she did not reveal her allegation of sexual assault at that time.

Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders did not respond to requests for comment.

Platner would have to drop out of the race by July 13 in order for Democrats to be able to select a replacement nominee.

The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.

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