Graham Platner Drops Out Of Maine Senate Race Following Rape Allegation

Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner announced Tuesday that he is ending his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Maine following mounting pressure from party leaders after a former girlfriend accused him of rape. His withdrawal comes just days before the July 13 deadline that allows Democrats to replace him on the general election ballot.

In a video posted to social media, Platner denied the allegation and insisted he was the target of a coordinated effort by the media, Democratic Party leaders, and political insiders. He maintained that his decision to leave the race was not an admission of guilt but a response to what he described as an organized campaign to destroy his candidacy.

The controversy began after former girlfriend Jenny Racicot accused Platner of raping her during a 2021 encounter. Platner has repeatedly denied the accusation, but the allegation prompted a wave of Democratic officials, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ro Khanna, to demand that he withdraw from the race.

Platner also criticized national Democratic leaders for abandoning him after he won the party’s primary, claiming the establishment turned against him because he challenged the party’s preferred candidates. He argued that powerful political interests were determined to remove him from the race regardless of the facts.

With Platner stepping aside, the Maine Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention to choose a replacement candidate to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races. Several Democrats have already expressed interest in seeking the nomination.

The race remains a top priority for both parties as Republicans look to defend Collins’ seat while Democrats scramble to recover from a campaign that unraveled just months before Election Day.