Platner exits Maine Senate race after assault allegation

Graham Platner has ended his Democratic campaign for the US Senate in Maine after a former girlfriend accused him of raping her in 2021, an allegation he denies. His withdrawal throws Democrats into a rushed search for a new nominee in one of the party’s main opportunities to cut into the Republican Senate majority.

Al Jazeera reported that Platner said his decision was not an admission of guilt. In an 11-minute video statement posted on X, he said the campaign was stepping aside because Democratic support structures had been withdrawn, and he accused party leaders of trying to control the replacement process.

Politico reported Tuesday that the former girlfriend alleged Platner raped her while intoxicated at her home in Maine in 2021. Platner denied the accusation, according to Al Jazeera.

The fallout was immediate. Al Jazeera reported that several senior Democrats withdrew their endorsements, including Senator Bernie Sanders, who had been one of Platner’s closest national allies. The national Democratic Party also said it would no longer fund his campaign, according to Al Jazeera.

A race Democrats badly wanted

Maine is central to Democratic hopes of taking the Senate in November. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, and Democrats need to gain four Republican-held seats to win control, according to Al Jazeera.

Republican Senator Susan Collins, a five-term incumbent, is viewed as one of Democrats’ top targets. Al Jazeera reported that Collins is the only Republican senator representing a state that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

Before the latest allegation, Platner appeared to be competitive. Al Jazeera reported that a recent poll showed him leading Collins by 2 percentage points.

Platner’s rise and earlier controversies

Platner, 41, is a military veteran and oyster farmer who entered the race last August as an anti-establishment candidate, according to Al Jazeera. His campaign drew national attention with a message aimed at working-class voters and sharp criticism of billionaires, Republicans and Democratic Party insiders.

Progressive Democrats helped lift his campaign early. Al Jazeera reported that Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Ro Khanna endorsed him after he launched his bid.

The Democratic establishment had backed Maine Governor Janet Mills in the primary, according to Al Jazeera. Mills suspended her campaign in April as Platner’s support grew, and Platner won the June primary with 72 percent of the vote.

His campaign also faced months of controversy. Al Jazeera reported that questions emerged over a chest tattoo associated with Nazi-era symbolism, now-deleted Reddit posts that allegedly minimized sexual violence against women, and reports of abusive conduct toward former partners.

Platner told US media the Reddit posts came from a period when he felt “disillusioned,” according to Al Jazeera. He denied abuse allegations and said he did not know the meaning of the tattoo, which he said he has since covered.

Replacement deadline approaches

The Maine Democratic Party said Monday that if Platner did not step aside by July 13, state election rules would prevent the party from naming another candidate for the November election, according to Al Jazeera.

The party now faces a July 27 state deadline to submit a replacement. Al Jazeera reported that Maine Democrats plan to choose a new candidate at a convention within two weeks.

Former state Senator Troy Jackson and brewery owner Dan Keblan have said on social media that they intend to run, according to Al Jazeera. No replacement has been named.

Platner urged Democrats to let his supporters have a role in choosing the next nominee. In his X video, he said the ballot line should “belong to the people of Maine,” according to Al Jazeera.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.