Maine Senate Candidate Faces Rape Accusation From Ex-Girlfriend

An ex-girlfriend of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner accused him of rape during an encounter in 2021. Jenny Racicot told Politico and CNN that Platner entered her home after she told him not to come over, ignored her repeated refusals, and had non-consensual sex with her.

Racicot said the two met on Bumble in 2019 and had an on-again, off-again relationship until the alleged incident. She described Platner as "very drunk and wouldn't take no for an answer" and said she felt complying was the safest option at the time.

Racicot said she later messaged Platner on Instagram to state that the encounter was not consensual, though she could not recover those messages. She did not file a police report. Under Maine law the statute of limitations for rape is 20 years. She provided emails with a therapist and statements from a subsequent partner that corroborated her account to Politico.

Racicot said she had previously kept silent because of conflicting feelings about Platner's politics.

" He said his campaign was reflecting on the best path forward. Senate Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in urging an immediate withdrawal. Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Ruben Gallego also called on him to drop out.

Platner faces a July 13 deadline to withdraw for Democrats to replace him before the November election. " — Graham Platner, campaign statement >"I just want the truth out there.