Overview
- Graham Platner suspended his campaign on Wednesday, July 9, after Politico published a report in which a former partner accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021.
- Top Democrats and national groups pulled endorsements and paused financial support, with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senate Majority PAC redirecting resources away from his bid.
- Maine law gives Platner until July 13 to withdraw from the ballot and the state party until July 27 to name a replacement, so the Maine Democratic Party has scheduled a delegate nominating convention and multiple candidates have already declared interest.
- Platner has denied the allegation in an 11-minute video, said the reporting is false, announced he would suspend campaign operations, and urged his supporters to have a voice in choosing his successor.
- The collapse follows months of controversies — including a contentious chest tattoo, past online posts, and earlier accusations of nonconsensual conduct — and it both complicates Democrats’ path to a Senate majority and deepens the personal and political consequences for the women who have come forward.