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46m ago

Democrats Press Maine Nominee Graham Platner to Quit After Sexual‑Assault Allegation

Party leaders say his denial cannot blunt the political risk because a July 13 withdrawal deadline will determine whether Democrats can name a replacement.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at his Primary Election event on June 9, 2026 in Blue Hill, Maine.
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PORTLAND, MAINE - JUNE 07: Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks to voters at a town hall at the Elks Lodge 188 on June 7, 2026 in Portland, Maine. Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee and will face incumbent Sen. Collins (R-ME) for Maine's U.S. Senate seat in the general election. (Photo by Laura Brett/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • A woman who dated Platner, Jenny Racicot, told Politico that he forced her to have sex in late 2021 and provided correspondence and other corroborating material to the outlet.
  • Platner has categorically denied the allegation in a video and has paused campaign events while he says he is reflecting on next steps.
  • Top Democrats including Senate leadership and multiple endorsers rescinded support and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said it will withhold funding if Platner remains the nominee.
  • Maine law requires Platner to withdraw by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 13 for the party to replace him on the ballot and gives the party until July 27 to name a successor.
  • Party officials warn that any replacement could be tarnished by ties to Platner and that the dispute complicates Democrats’ effort to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins and protect their path to Senate control.