Maine Democratic Senate Nominee Denies Sexual Assault Allegation

Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident, stated that Graham Platner entered her home drunk and uninvited and forced himself on her in late 2021. She said she and Platner had dated off and on from 2019 to 2021. Racicot provided emails with her therapist and messages with an acquaintance who had warned her years earlier against getting involved with him.

"I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me," Racicot said. '" Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, denied the allegations in a social media video posted July 6.

"I wanted to directly address your troubling, serious, and false allegations against me. Any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is categorically false," he said. Platner stated that the movement he built was united around defeating Republican Sen.

Susan Collins and that the campaign would take time to reflect on the best path forward. He won the Democratic nomination on June 9. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Gillibrand said Platner should immediately withdraw.

Maine state law gives Democrats until July 27 to choose a replacement if he steps aside.