politics
Maine Democratic Senate Nominee Withdraws After Sexual Assault Allegation
Graham Platner announced he will withdraw from the race to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Top Democratic groups had withdrawn support after a woman accused him of forcing her to have sex in 2021.
Jul 8, 10:18 PM·1m read18 sources
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Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner announced he will withdraw from Maine's U.S. Senate race after a woman accused him of sexual assault. Platner posted a video on social media denying the allegation as categorically false. He said the decision was not an admission of guilt and called for an open, transparent replacement process.
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A woman identified in reporting 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. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senate Majority PAC abandoned Platner after the report.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke with Platner and recommended he step aside.
Democrats held an emergency meeting and approved plans for a nominating convention. m. on July 13. Platner had won the Democratic nomination on June 9 after defeating the governor in the primary. His campaign had already faced questions over a tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol and years-old online comments that appeared to dismiss sexual assault.
" — Graham Platner, Wednesday (AP) >"I've been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. " — Rep.
