Prominent Democratic leaders are pressing Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race following a report detailing a sexual assault allegation. The call for his departure intensified Monday evening, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stating that the allegations are "incredibly disturbing" and that "violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable."
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced it "will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot."
Platner, the Democratic nominee set to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in November, denied the allegation, calling it "categorically false." However, he stated he was "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 and the goal of defeating Susan Collins."
Several other Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Elissa Slotkin, have joined the calls for Platner to withdraw. Three prominent Democrats who had previously endorsed Platner also rescinded their support: Congressman Ro Khanna and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego. Senator Gallego described the allegations as "troubling and deeply serious," while Senator Heinrich called them "appalling."
The Maine Democratic Party released a statement echoing these sentiments, urging Platner to "withdraw as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate" due to "multiple women" who have made "serious, credible allegations."
Platner faces a critical deadline of July 13 to have his name removed from the state's ballot. If he does not withdraw by this date, his name will appear on the ballot for the November congressional elections.
The new allegations, published by Politico, stem from an account by Jenny Racicot, 41. She alleges that after an on-and-off relationship with Platner spanning more than two years, he entered her home uninvited and sexually assaulted her while appearing heavily intoxicated. Racicot stated she ceased contact with Platner after informing him the encounter was not consensual. She told Politico she felt compelled to speak out due to the reaction to a previous report by The New York Times.
Last month, The New York Times published accounts from three former girlfriends accusing Platner of erratic and angry behavior. Racicot confirmed to Politico that she was one of the women interviewed for that report but had initially chosen not to go public with her specific claims.
This is not the first controversy to surface during Platner's campaign. Earlier reports highlighted a tattoo on his chest resembling a Nazi symbol, sparking backlash. He explained the tattoo, a "Totenkopf" or "death's head," was acquired in Croatia with fellow Marines in 2007. Online comments from Platner dismissing rape victims' responsibility and disparaging intoxication were also unearthed, for which he later apologized, asking voters to judge him on his present character.
Additionally, Platner acknowledged the truth of leaked stories alleging he exchanged sexually explicit texts with women outside his marriage. He addressed these claims in an interview, stating he made mistakes early in his marriage but that he and his wife have worked through them, resulting in a stronger union.