Democrats are calling on Platner to drop out after latest allegations

This story has been updated.

The Maine Democratic Party and several prominent state and national lawmakers are calling on U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out of the pivotal race to defeat Sen. Susan Collins after a Politico report of allegations of sexual assault against him.

That includes members of Congress who previously endorsed him, including U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts who both rallied with Platner ahead of the primary.

“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna wrote on social media platform X. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”

Senate Majority PAC, also announced it was directing resources away from the Maine Senate race in light of the latest allegations. Majority Forward, the nonprofit arm of the super PAC had spent nearly $6 million in anti-Collins ads to help Platner as of June 9, the New York Times reported. Planned Parenthood Action Fund also withdrew its support, with President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson saying while the organization “remains committed to protecting access to care for Mainers and all Americans, we also unequivocally believe women.”

On Monday, Jenny Racicot, 41, who dated Platner on and off for two years, told Politico that he entered her home in 2021 uninvited while intoxicated and forced himself on her while she repeatedly told him to stop. Platner denied the allegations, calling them categorically untrue. But he also said in a video on social media that he and his campaign are “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.” 

He postponed several campaign events scheduled for Sunday and Monday.

The oysterman and military veteran has faced a series of controversies during his campaign including alleged unsettling behavior toward previous romantic partners, but the accusations in the Politico story published on Monday amount to the most serious. 

The Maine Democratic Party referenced those allegations in its statement asking Platner to step down.

“The Maine Democratic Party leadership stands with women and survivors, and that principle does not bend based on party affiliation,” said Chair Charlie Dingman, Vice Chair Imke Schessler and Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson in a statement. “We respect the women who made the hard decision to come forward. Speaking up is often costly.”

Maine House of Representatives Speaker Ryan Fecteau also echoed those calls in a separate statement.

“Today’s revelations, on top of months of allegations and controversies, make it clear that Graham’s campaign cannot be successful,” he said. “The movement that Graham’s candidacy has inspired and helped build is one that has been needed for a long time. In order to carry the movement forward, to give power back to the people, and to defeat Susan Collins in November, I am calling upon Graham to drop out.”

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree along with her former competitors also rescinded their support. Pingree along with former Senate President Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Hannah Pingree touted Platner’s endorsement in the ranked-choice primary. On Monday night, all of them released statements urging him to withdraw. 

“Graham Platner tapped into something real — voters hungry for change showed up with real passion and energy,” Pingree said. “That energy doesn’t have to go away. It needs a new candidate to carry it forward.”

The latest accusation against Platner comes a week out from Maine’s ballot deadline, which his campaign said in a statement “is not a coincidence,” also pointing out that the earlier accusations of troubling behavior came out a week before the primary election. 

According to Maine law, a candidate can withdraw on or before the second Monday of July in an election year. A political action committee may make a replacement nomination for the general election, no later than 5 p.m. of the fourth Monday in July. 

If Platner does not withdraw 70 days before the election — which is Aug. 25 — his name will still appear on the ballot.