Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner denied a sexual assault allegation on Monday as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic party leaders called for him to exit the race, sending the closely watched contest against Republican Sen. Susan Collins into turmoil.
A woman named Jenny Racicot told Politico that Platner entered her rural Maine home without permission in late 2021 while heavily intoxicated and forced himself on her despite her repeated objections. Racicot said the two had met on a dating app in 2019 and had a consensual on-and-off relationship for more than two years before the alleged incident.
“I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me,” Racicot said in the Politico report. “I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.'” She said she later sent Platner an Instagram message telling him the encounter was not consensual and cut off contact with him.
Platner issued a statement denying the allegations. “These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue,” he said in a video posted to social media. His campaign called the allegations “coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives.”
In response to the allegation, Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, released a joint statement calling on Platner to “immediately withdraw” from the race. “The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot,” they said, according to CBS News.
The Maine Democratic Party leadership also urged Platner to drop out. Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna of California and Ruben Gallego of Arizona, both of whom had previously endorsed Platner, rescinded their support. Khanna wrote on social media that “sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” calling the allegations “very serious and credible,” according to CBS News.
Platner said he was “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward” for Maine and the movement he belongs to, but stopped short of committing to staying in or leaving the race. Under Maine election law, nominees can be replaced if they withdraw by 5 p.m. on the second Monday in July—July 13 in 2026. If Platner withdraws, the Democratic party would have two weeks to select a new nominee.
The allegations represent the latest controversy to engulf Platner’s campaign since his launch last August. The political newcomer faces calls to withdraw after earlier reports of offensive online comments, a tattoo resembling Nazi imagery that he later covered, and allegations from other women about his behavior toward them. Platner has denied those prior allegations and said he has changed.
The race against Collins, who has held her Senate seat since 1997, is viewed as one of the nation’s most competitive and important for Democrats’ hopes of maintaining control of the chamber. Platner won the Democratic primary last month with the support of progressive leaders, but the allegations and subsequent Democratic exodus have thrown the party’s strategy into question.
Sources
- Politico — Exclusive reporting on Racicot’s allegations, Platner’s denial, and campaign response
- CBS News — Coverage of Democratic leaders’ calls for withdrawal, including Schumer and Gillibrand statement, Maine Democratic Party response, and Khanna and Gallego endorsement rescissions
- BBC — Platner’s denial and statement about reflecting on his path forward
- The Hill — Reporting on the July 13 ballot replacement deadline and DSCC involvement
