Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner faces mounting pressure to withdraw from the race following a rape allegation made by Maine resident Jenny Racicot. At least three Democratic lawmakers – Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. – have not yet rescinded their endorsements or called for Platner to end his campaign.
Racicot, 41, accused Platner of barging into her home while intoxicated in 2021 and forcing her to have unprotected sex, according to interviews with Politico and CNN. None of the three senators responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding Racicot's allegation by the time of publication.
This muted response contrasts with other prominent Democrats who have quickly distanced themselves from Platner. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., rescinded their endorsements, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., along with the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, demanded Platner immediately suspend his campaign. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., who had previously downplayed a physical abuse allegation by former Platner girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield, withdrew his support following Racicot’s rape accusation.
Sanders, a prominent figure among the party's progressive wing, has previously supported Platner. He continued to back the Senate hopeful even after Fifield's allegations emerged in early June and amid reports that Platner sent sexually explicit text messages to multiple women while married. In June, Sanders told reporters that the focus should be on issues like the housing crisis and healthcare costs, rather than Platner's personal life.
Murphy also publicly defended Platner after news of his infidelity surfaced and after Fifield and other women accused Platner of abuse. In May, Murphy stated that Platner, who served in the military, had made mistakes but contrasted him with political opponents he deemed corrupt.
Van Hollen had previously defended Platner against scrutiny over a Nazi-linked tattoo and controversial online posts, including those disparaging law enforcement and various demographic groups. Van Hollen cited Platner's military service and suggested that people can learn from their mistakes and deserve second chances.