Key Democratic figures call on Graham Platner to ‘immediately’ withdraw from Senate race

Maine's Democratic party leadership has called for US Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race, as the scandal-hit Marine veteran loses support from his previously most vocal backers. It comes as Politico reported that Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident who previously dated Platner, accused him of forcing her to have sex in late 2021.

Racicot told the outlet she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years. She alleges that in late 2021, an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her. Racicot said she terminated contact after the encounter. The report cited accounts from a man Racicot later confided in, as well as recent therapist emails, and messages where she warned an acquaintance about Platner in 2023.

Platner, an oyster farmer and former Marine veteran who secured the Democratic nomination and faces Republican Senator Susan Collins in the general election, denied the claims. "These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue," he said in a statement to Politico. In a video message on X, he repeated the denial.

However, top Democratic figures have called on the beleaguered nominee to step down. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair Kirsten Gillibrand jointly said Platner should "immediately withdraw". Rep. Ro Khanna of California, one of Platner's most vocal supporters, withdrew his endorsement and said Platner should drop out. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who endorsed Platner in March, stated "there can be no tolerance for sexual assault" and that the best path is for Platner to step aside. The allegation lands at a perilous moment for Democrats, who view Maine as a central battleground in their effort to regain control of the Senate in November's midterm elections.

Platner has faced a series of scandals before this week. He cast himself as a populist everyman with an anti-oligarchy message. Before his run, he made controversial comments on social media and got a Nazi-linked tattoo, which has since been covered up. Platner has said he did not initially understand the meaning of the tattoo.

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