Graham Platner ends Maine Senate campaign after sexual assault allegation

Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine, is suspending his campaign following sexual assault allegations.Platner announced his decision in an 11-minute video posted to social media on Wednesday evening, in which he angrily accused the Democratic establishment and corporate media of “using these allegations to take away all of the things we need to run a campaign” and acting “as judge, jury and executioner”.“For the movement to continue, it can’t be me,” he said. “For that reason, we are suspending campaign operations.”In the video, Platner vehemently stood by his assertion that the accusations were “not remotely true”, claiming they were driven by “large forces ... working against [him] personally”.“This is all false,” Platner said of the allegations. “The things that have been claimed did not happen. It’s not real.”The oyster farmer and marine veteran – whose populist platform packed town halls, raised millions early in the race, earned support from progressive stars like Bernie Sanders and built enough momentum to force his primary challenger, Governor Janet Mills, to suspend her bid – has been dogged by controversy since entering the Senate contest last year, including over his conduct in past romantic relationships, his social media history and a since-removed tattoo of a Nazi symbol.Platner faced fresh scrutiny on Monday after a woman who dated him made allegations in Politico that he forced her to have sex nearly five years ago despite repeated objections. Jenny Racicot, 41, said 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. She said she cut off contact after the encounter.Platner rejected the allegations in a video posted on social media on Monday. “Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false,” he said in a direct‑to‑camera message. While calling the reporting inaccurate, he said his campaign was “mindful of the political reality” the accusation “will inflict”.“We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to,” he added after the report.But the allegations quickly prompted Democrats, including Senate leader Chuck Schumer, to call on Platner to drop out of the race. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee – the party’s main vehicle for fundraising, recruitment, and helping to elect Senate candidates – said it would not spend money on the Maine race if Platner did not withdraw his candidacy.Platner’s rise, built on anti‑oligarchy messaging and a populist platform, propelled him to a comfortable primary win after Mills exited the race amid his surging popularity.But the scandals began early – and never stopped. Racist, sexist and homophobic Reddit posts surfaced, which the former marine attributed to PTSD from his military service. Platner then attempted to pre-empt opposition research by revealing he had covered a tattoo that closely resembled a Totenkopf, a widely recognized Nazi symbol.More reports emerged shortly before the June Democratic primary: first sexually explicit texts with women outside his marriage, then allegations of abusive and “unsettling” behavior in past relationships. One former partner, a Republican operative, alleged Platner twisted her arm behind her back and held her in a room, and said Platner knew his tattoo was a Nazi emblem despite claiming otherwise. Platner denied the allegations at the time, calling them “politically motivated”.The scrutiny resumed with Politico’s report on Monday, and continued on Tuesday after the Washington Post reported that an ex‑girlfriend alleged that Platner removed condoms without her consent during sex on at least six occasions.Democrats have viewed Maine as a crucial opportunity to pick up a US Senate seat and regain control of the upper chamber in US Congress. The party’s candidate will face five‑term Republican incumbent Susan Collins.Platner amassed a slate of high‑profile endorsements throughout the race. Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, was among the first to back him, followed by Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren, Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego. All of the lawmakers rescinded their endorsements after the latest allegations.Platner’s withdrawal triggers a tight window – until 27 July – for Democrats to select a replacement candidate under Maine law.An array of Democrats have already expressed interest in the nomination. Troy Jackson, a former state senator who ran for governor earlier this year, quickly announced his candidacy shortly after Platner’s campaign suspension, as did Dan Kleban, the owner of Maine Beer Company who ran in the Senate primary before dropping out before the vote. Other possible contenders include the Maine secretary of state, Shenna Bellows; former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Nirav Shah; state legislator Valli Geiger; and ex-congressional aide Jordan Wood.The Maine Democratic Party said Wednesday it plans to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate.“There is an unprecedented amount of energy and enthusiasm among Maine Democrats, driven in part by many of the dedicated volunteers and supporters who were inspired by Graham Platner’s campaign,” party officials said in a statement issued less than an hour before Platner suspended his campaign.“We look forward to coming together and harnessing that energy around our new nominee as we work to defeat Susan Collins in November.”Platner, in his Wednesday video, said the process to select a new candidate should reflect the will of his primary voters. Earlier reports indicated Platner was hoping to influence who would replace him in the general election.“The next Democratic senator for Maine needs to belong to the people of Maine,” he said.Republicans, meanwhile, immediately took Platner’s departure from the race as an opportunity to attack Democrats.“Maine Democrats elected a rapist Nazi to be their nominee for Senate, and regardless of who they anoint next, Susan Collins will be re-elected in November,” said Samantha Cantrell, regional press secretary for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.“Democrats rolled in the mud with Platner, and now they are completely stained by their association with this sick monster,” said Republican National Committee chair Joe Gruters.