Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has ended his campaign, citing an accusation of sexual assault that has compounded previous controversies. Platner announced his withdrawal on Wednesday, a day after Jenny Racicot publicly detailed the allegation.
Platner released an 11-minute video denying the accusations, but stated that "the immense amount of weight" on him had forced his decision. He characterized the withdrawal not as an admission of guilt, but as a response to "structural pressure" being applied by "the political establishment" and "corporate media."
He requested that the party initiate an "open, transparent and democratic" process to select a replacement candidate.
Racicot, 41, told Politico that she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for over two years. She alleged that in 2021, Platner arrived at her home uninvited, entered her unlocked house, and proceeded to have sex with her against her will after she protested. She stated that he was heavily intoxicated at the time and did not remember the encounter when confronted the next morning.
Platner, 41, is an Iraq war veteran and oyster farmer who was seeking to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins. His campaign had faced multiple scandals since the previous fall, including the revelation of a Nazi "Totenkopf" tattoo, which he has since covered, and controversial Reddit posts containing homophobic slurs. Additionally, reports emerged of Platner texting other women sexually while married and the discovery of a shirtless profile on the Kik messaging app.
Some prominent Democrats, including Representative Ro Khanna and Senator Ruben Gallego, rescinded their endorsements following Racicot's allegations. Hasan Piker, an influential streamer, also publicly stated his belief in the accusations. However, Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren had previously backed Platner despite the earlier controversies.
Maine Democrats have until July 27 at 5 p.m. to nominate a replacement candidate for Platner on the ballot.