Lyndsey Fifield, a conservative activist who dated Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner from 2013 to 2015, alleged earlier today that he repeatedly removed condoms without her consent during sex, according to The Washington Post. Fifield told the outlet she had explicitly told Platner on multiple occasions that he had to wear protection because she was not on birth control.
The allegation marks the second major sexual misconduct claim against the Democratic nominee in a week. Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident, told Politico and CNN last week that Platner sexually assaulted her in 2021, allegations he has denied.
Platner’s campaign responded to Fifield’s allegation by calling it “categorically false and politically motivated,” according to The Washington Post. Platner himself said he was “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward” in the race, according to the BBC.
The allegations have triggered swift pressure from top Democratic leaders. Senator Bernie Sanders, one of Platner’s earliest and most influential backers, called on him to withdraw from the Maine race, according to The Guardian. Senator Elizabeth Warren also dropped her endorsement and called for him to step aside, according to multiple outlets.
Fifield is a Virginia-based conservative activist with more than a decade of experience in Washington, D.C., working in campaign and policy communications. She has worked as a digital marketing director for Stand for America PAC, according to American University’s WeLead speaker directory. Newsweek confirmed she has been a registered Republican since at least 2012.
The Maine Democratic Senate race is viewed as critical to Democratic efforts to regain control of the Senate. Platner won the June 9 Democratic primary with roughly 75 percent of the vote, despite the earlier allegations from Fifield about physical abuse that emerged in a New York Times article in early June.
Sources
- The Washington Post — Fifield’s allegations about condom removal without consent and her statement to Platner about birth control requirements
- The Hill — Fifield’s allegation details and Platner campaign response
- BBC — Platner’s statement about taking time to reflect on the best path forward
- Politico — Jenny Racicot’s sexual assault allegation against Platner in 2021
- CNN — Racicot’s exclusive interview describing the alleged assault
- The Guardian — Bernie Sanders calling for Platner to withdraw from the race
- American University WeLead — Fifield’s professional background and role at Stand for America PAC
- Newsweek — Confirmation of Fifield’s Republican voter registration since 2012
