Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee challenging Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine’s 2026 Senate race, faces a sexual assault allegation that has prompted calls from party leadership and prominent Democrats for him to abandon his candidacy. Jenny Racicot, 41, told Politico on July 6 that Platner sexually assaulted her in late 2021 after entering her home uninvited while intoxicated, an allegation he has categorically denied.
Racicot said she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years before the alleged incident. According to her account, Platner forced himself on her despite her repeated objections to stop. She said she terminated contact after the encounter and did not file a police report at the time.
Platner immediately denied the accusations in a statement to Politico. “These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue,” he said. His campaign characterized the allegations as “coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives” and suggested they were timed to damage his candidacy, noting they emerged a week before a key ballot deadline.
In a video posted to social media on July 6, Platner acknowledged the political gravity of the situation. “Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” he said, using language that left his candidacy in question.
The fallout among national Democrats was swift. Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a prominent progressive who had campaigned for Platner despite his previous controversies, said the new allegations crossed a “red line.” “These allegations are very serious and credible,” Khanna said. “Graham Platner should drop out from the race.” Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona rescinded his endorsement, and Democratic Senate candidate Alex Vindman in Florida also called for Platner to withdraw.
The Maine Democratic Party leadership itself urged Platner to step aside. If he chooses to withdraw, state law gives him until 5 p.m. on July 13 to notify the secretary of state. Should he exit the race, the Maine Democratic Party would then have two weeks—until July 27—to nominate a replacement candidate for the general election.
Platner’s troubles follow months of mounting controversies. He faced scrutiny over a tattoo that appeared to resemble Nazi imagery, which he said he did not initially understand the meaning of, and over sexting scandals involving explicit texts. In June, the New York Times reported accounts from several women who dated Platner describing his behavior as intimidating and unsettling, though Platner denied those allegations as well. Racicot was one of the women who spoke to the Times but did not disclose the sexual assault claim at that time, saying she had a “huge moral conflict” between supporting his political message and not supporting him as a person.
Despite winning the Democratic primary in June, Platner’s path to November has grown precarious. He had positioned himself as an anti-establishment, populist challenger to Collins, who has held the Senate seat since 1997. But the accumulation of allegations and the swift response from Democratic leadership suggest the party may view the sexual assault claim as uniquely damaging to his viability as a general election candidate.
Sources
- The Guardian — Woman accuses Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexual assault; candidate denies allegations and says he is reflecting on his path forward
- USA Today — Graham Platner weighs future of Senate bid after sexual assault allegation; details on Racicot’s account and Platner’s statement
- Politico — Exclusive report on the sexual assault allegation; Maine Democratic Party leadership calls for Platner to drop out; prominent Democrats withdraw endorsements
- NPR — Graham Platner denies sexual assault allegation and assesses next steps
- The Hill — Deadline for Democrats to replace Platner in Maine Senate race (July 13 withdrawal deadline, July 27 replacement deadline)
