Maine Democratic Senate Nominee Denies Assault Allegation; Two Lawmakers Withdraw Endorsements

Sen. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Ro Khanna withdrew their endorsements of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner after allegations of sexual assault surfaced. Washington Examiner reported that the lawmakers acted after Politico published interviews with Jenny Racicot, 41, who said she and Platner had an on-again, off-again relationship for two years until he drunkenly entered her home in 2021 and forced himself onto her.

Racicot told Politico she cut off contact after the incident. Khanna posted on X that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race.

I am withdrawing my endorsement,” he wrote. Gallego posted on X that the allegations were troubling and deeply serious. “I am rescinding my endorsement,” he stated. Platner posted a video on X in which he denied the accusation.

“Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false,” he said. He added that he was taking time to reflect on the campaign’s best path forward for the state he loves and the goal of defeating Susan Collins. Platner had canceled three campaign events without explanation before the Politico article appeared.

He won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.