politics
Graham Platner withdraws from Maine Senate race after sexual-assault allegation he denies
Democratic nominee Graham Platner announced on July 8, 2026, that he is suspending his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine. The move follows a published allegation of sexual assault that he denies as categorically false.
Jul 8, 10:18 PM·1m read20 sources
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Graham Platner announced on July 8, 2026, that he is suspending his campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine. He posted an 11-minute video on social media stating the decision was not an admission of guilt regarding the allegations.
Post by @politico on X
Platner said the Democratic establishment and corporate media used the allegations to remove campaign resources. He stated that "People in D.C. need to stay in D.C. " A woman identified as Jenny Racicot told Politico that Platner entered her home in late 2021 and forced himself on her despite her telling him to stop.
She later described the encounter to CNN as rape by definition. Platner said the sexual assault allegation is categorically false. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senate Majority PAC abandoned Platner after the Politico report.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke with Platner and recommended he step aside from the Senate race. Democrats held an emergency meeting and approved plans for a nominating convention. Maine state law allows party officials to select a new nominee if Platner withdraws by 5 p.m.
On July 13, 2026. Platner won the Democratic nomination on June 9, 2026, after defeating the governor in the primary. His campaign had faced questions over a tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol and years-old online comments that appeared to dismiss sexual assault.
Rep. " Platner is running against GOP Sen. Susan Collins in the Maine U.S. Senate race.
