politics
Maine Senate Candidate Faces Calls to Exit Race After Assault Allegation
Democratic nominee Graham Platner is under pressure to withdraw after a former girlfriend alleged he removed condoms without consent. Several prominent Democrats have withdrawn endorsements while Platner denies the claim.
Jul 7, 9:27 PM·1m read17 sources
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Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner faces growing calls to drop out of Maine's U.S. Senate race after a former girlfriend alleged he removed condoms without consent during sex. The allegation, first reported by Politico, prompted several high-profile Democrats to withdraw their support.
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She said Platner entered her home uninvited and intoxicated and proceeded despite her protests. Platner said Monday his campaign is taking time to reflect on the best path forward.
Bernie Sanders, who endorsed Platner eleven days after the campaign launch, called for him to end his candidacy on Tuesday. Rep. Ro Khanna also withdrew support after the report. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer withdrew their endorsements following the allegation.
Platner's campaign has faced earlier controversies.
CNN reported on October 16, 2025, that Platner wrote deleted Reddit posts between 2009 and 2021 in which he described himself as a communist, called all police bastards, and said many rural White Americans are racist and unintelligent. The New York Times reported on May 30 that Platner's wife informed campaign officials he had exchanged sexually explicit messages with other women using the Kik app during the early years of their marriage.
On June 4, 2026, the New York Times published interviews with six former romantic partners. Three described Platner as kind and supportive; three alleged volatile relationships involving heavy drinking and emotional harm. One former girlfriend said he grabbed her hard enough to leave marks and twisted her arm during an argument.
On October 21, 2025, Platner released video showing a chest tattoo resembling the Nazi SS Totenkopf symbol. He said he got the tattoo in Croatia in 2007 while drinking with Marines and believed it was a skull-and-crossbones design. He later covered it with a Celtic knot tattoo.
