Democrats moved fast against embattled Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after a rape allegation sent his campaign into crisis and sparked a wave of abandoned endorsements from party leaders, progressive allies and major outside groups.
The accusation came from Maine resident Jenny Racicot, 41, who alleged that Platner entered her home uninvited while intoxicated nearly five years ago and forced himself on her despite her efforts to stop him. Platner has denied the allegation, but the political fallout was immediate.
Rape Allegation Triggers Democratic Revolt
Racicot, who had been seeing Platner on and off at the time, said she cut ties with him immediately after the alleged encounter. She told one outlet, “I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.’”
In another interview, she described the alleged incident as the “dictionary definition” of rape.
Platner responded by denying Racicot’s version of events and said he was “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward” as his campaign faced growing pressure.
However, many Democrats were not willing to wait. Within hours, prominent lawmakers began urging him to leave the race and let the party find another nominee.
Warren And Khanna Pull Their Support
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of Platner’s highest-profile progressive backers, withdrew her endorsement and called on him to step aside.
“There can be no tolerance for sexual assault,” Warren said.
“With so much at stake, the best path forward is for Graham Platner to step aside as the Democratic nominee and address these serious allegations outside this Senate race.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna also pulled his endorsement after the allegation surfaced. Khanna had previously aligned himself closely with Platner and even campaigned with him after a former girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, accused the candidate of abuse in June.
Platner has repeatedly denied Fifield’s claims, calling them false and politically motivated. Khanna had earlier argued that Platner was “taking accountability” for his past and deserved a chance at redemption.
Still, the latest allegation changed the political temperature.
Schumer And Gillibrand Demand A Campaign Exit
The pressure also came from the party establishment. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand called for Platner to “immediately” suspend his campaign.
Their message was blunt.
“The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot,” the pair said in a joint statement.
That warning carried real weight. Maine is viewed as a major Senate pickup opportunity for Democrats, especially as they try to unseat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins. But with Platner wounded by scandal, party leaders appear worried the race could slip away.
The Schumer-aligned Senate Majority PAC also said it would redirect resources away from Maine as long as Platner stayed in the race.
Maine Democrats Face A Tight Deadline
Democrats are now staring at a fast-moving deadline. Under Maine law, Platner can be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by 5 p.m. on July 13. The state party would then have until July 27 to name a replacement.
That timeline gives Democrats little room for delay.
The scandal also adds to a long list of controversies that had already troubled Platner’s campaign, including a former Nazi-linked tattoo, allegations of infidelity and resurfaced remarks in which he reportedly called police “opportunistic cowards.”
Collins responded Monday by calling the rape accusation “appalling,” though she did not say whether Platner should remain in the race.
Centrist Democrats And Maine Figures Join Calls To Drop Out
Other Democrats from the party’s centrist wing also urged Platner to end his campaign. Sens. Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, neither of whom had endorsed him, publicly said he should leave the race.
In Maine, the calls grew louder. Rep. Chellie Pingree and former State House Speaker Hannah Pingree, now the Democratic nominee for governor, both urged Platner to withdraw.
Former Maine public health official Nirav Shah and State Sen. Troy Jackson, who have both been floated as possible replacement candidates, also said Platner should end his campaign.
Jackson’s break was especially notable because he had previously campaigned with Platner.
Liberal Groups Cut Ties With Platner
The collapse spread beyond elected officials. Several left-wing and Democratic-aligned organizations also abandoned Platner.
“The allegations reported today are profoundly disturbing and disqualifying,” Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, said.
“The conduct described is fundamentally inconsistent with the standards we expect from the candidates we support.”
VoteVets, which supports Democratic veterans, withdrew its endorsement as well. Our Revolution, the left-wing group founded by former Bernie Sanders campaign staffers, also called for Platner to leave the race while pushing for a successor who shares his policy views.
As of late Monday evening, Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of Platner’s few remaining progressive supporters, had not publicly commented on the sexual assault allegation.
