Graham Platner loses key Democratic support after assault allegation

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has found himself embroiled in a fresh scandal after a woman accused him of forcefully having sex with her in a drunken state. POLITICO reported Monday that the woman, Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident, was in an on-and-off relationship with Platner. She accused the Democratic nominee of visiting her home, deeply intoxicated, five years ago and claimed he forced himself on her despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.

"I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me," the publication quoted her as saying, and reported that her story was corroborated by several other sources. As per the publication that reviewed documents, in messages she sent to an acquaintance, Racicot had warned the receiver about Platner before he ran for office. She said she cut off contact with him after telling him the encounter was not consensual.

This is not the first controversy to hit Platner's campaign. In the weeks leading up to the July allegation, he faced intense scrutiny over a separate sexting scandal, broader accusations of toxic relationship behavior reported by The New York Times, and past public scrutiny over a covered-up, Nazi-linked tattoo from his youth, which he claimed he did not understand the meaning of at the time. As per the NYT report, three women who previously dated the Democratic Senate candidate described him as demeaning toward women, with one claiming that Platener had twisted her arm and trapped her in a room. 

Reacting to Racicot's allegations, Platner said that they were "troubling, serious, and false." "Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false," he said in a video posted on X. He followed this statement by appreciating his voters for their support and urging them to remain united in defeating incumbent Senator Susan Collins, who has held the seat since 1997. "Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we're taking the time to reflect on the best path forward," Planter concluded. 

However, despite Platner's denial, the political fallout from the report has pushed some Democrats to rescind their endorsement of the Maine candidate. "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," Representative Ro Khanna wrote on X. Senator Ruben Gallego, too, withdrew his endorsement, calling the allegations against Platner "troubling and deeply serious."

The Maine Democratic Party leadership has asked Platner to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. "The Maine Democratic Party leadership stands with women and survivors, and that principle does not bend based on party affiliation. We respect the women who made the hard decision to come forward. Speaking up is often costly," the party leadership wrote in a statement.