Democrats pull backing from Maine Senate nominee after assault allegation
Graham Platner denied an allegation reported by Politico as party figures urged him to leave a key Senate race against Susan Collins.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Prominent Democrats and allied groups are withdrawing support from Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, after Politico reported a sexual assault allegation from a former girlfriend. The fallout threatens Democrats’ effort to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race Al Jazeera and The Associated Press described as critical for the party.
Politico reported Monday that Jenny Racicot accused Platner of forcing her to have sex without consent in late 2021. Racicot told Politico that Platner entered her Maine home without an invitation while intoxicated and assaulted her after she repeatedly told him to stop.
Platner has denied the allegation. In a video posted to social media, he said he disputed the report but was assessing what the controversy meant for his campaign, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
Endorsements withdrawn
Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who had backed Platner, said he was ending his endorsement and called on Platner to leave the race. Khanna said allegations of sexual assault and violence against women were a “red line” for him and described the accusation as serious and credible.
Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona also withdrew his endorsement, according to Al Jazeera and AP. The Maine Democratic Party urged Platner to end his candidacy.
End Citizens United, a Democratic-leaning political group, pulled its endorsement as well. The group said the allegation was disturbing and disqualifying and said the conduct described did not meet the standards it expects from candidates it supports.
Hasan Piker, a leftist commentator and streamer who had supported Platner, also appeared to shift after the Politico report. During a Twitch livestream, Piker said new evidence would change his view and described the allegation as verifiable and disqualifying, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
A key Senate contest
Platner won Maine’s Democratic primary in April, defeating a centrist Democrat associated with the party establishment, according to Al Jazeera and AP. He had drawn attention as a progressive outsider before the latest allegation put pressure on his campaign.
The nominee is set to face Collins, a Republican incumbent. Under Maine law, Platner can be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, Al Jazeera and AP reported. A replacement would have to be selected by July 27.
The allegation is the latest controversy around Platner’s candidacy. Al Jazeera and AP reported that Platner, a Marine veteran who also worked for a private security contractor, had a chest tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol; he denied knowing its meaning and later had it covered.
Al Jazeera and AP also reported that Platner has faced criticism over past social media posts and reports that he exchanged sexual messages with other women soon after he married. Platner’s next move will determine whether Democrats have time to install another nominee before the ballot deadline.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.