Maine Democrat Graham Platner suspends US Senate run amid sexual harassment allegations
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Graham Platner said Wednesday he plans to withdraw from the US Senate race in Maine after facing a sexual assault charge.
The move capped a campaign that had weathered months of conflict only to be included and jeopardized the Democrats’ bid to regain power in Washington.
Platner’s exit will likely force the party, divided between its moderate and progressive factions, to hold itself accountable as it tries to unite in the run-up to the midterm elections.
Maine is considered a key state to control the narrowly divided Senate, and Democrats have been looking for someone who can defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins while President Donald Trump is unpopular.
In an 11-minute video posted on social media, Platner said the process of becoming his successor must be “open, transparent and democratic” and reflect the will and principles of the people who supported him. He also criticized the Democratic leaders in Washington, DC
“The people of DC need to stay in DC,” he said. “Decisions should not be taken by people in powerful political positions.”
At times scratching his beard and looking into the camera as he spoke, Platner appeared distraught as he announced his plans, sitting on what appeared to be a wooden platform as the sound of nearby cars could be heard.
He also emphasized that his decision to withdraw is not an admission of guilt.
The campaign is full of controversy
Although Platner had never held elected office, progressive leaders nominated him to replace Gov. Janet Mills, who was favored by the Democratic Alliance.
Mills dropped out of the race in late April as Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer, rallied support from voters eager for a more controversial candidate and willing to ignore his past, which includes a tattoo known as the Nazi symbol and online posts in which he denounced sexual harassment.
Shortly before Platner was elected to the position of the Democratic Alliance in the June 9 election, there were reports that he was sending sexually explicit messages to other women while he was married and that he had disappeared with his ex-girlfriend during an argument.
But Platner’s support didn’t waver until Monday, when Politico reported that a woman said she was drunk and forced him to have sex after she told him to stop.
Jenny Racicot, who lives in Maine, told Politico that she had been dating Platner but ended contact with him that night in 2021 and told him the encounter was not consensual. In a CNN interview, she said she was raped “by definition.”
After the story was published, Platner released a video on social media in which he denied the allegations as “blatant lies.” He then said he would “take time to think about the best way forward” for his campaign.
High-level supporters have withdrawn their support, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who said on Tuesday that he spoke with Platner and said “because of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he withdraw.”
Replacements must be named before July 27
State law includes a provision for Democrats to replace Plattner before the general election. The state Democratic Party held an emergency meeting Wednesday, where more than 100 state committee members signed up to hold a convention nominating meeting if Platner were to withdraw.
Platner announced that he would do so less than an hour later.
According to the law, the party officials may choose another candidate if the winner of the election resigns by 5 pm on July 13. A replacement must be named on July 27.
Democrats need to pick up four Senate seats to control the 100-member chamber, and party leaders view Maine as a critical piece of the puzzle, along with Alaska, Ohio and North Carolina.
