Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, has decided to halt his campaign following serious allegations of sexual assault against him.
In an 11-minute video shared on social media on Wednesday evening, Platner expressed his frustration, accusing the Democratic Party and corporate media of exploiting the accusations in a way that jeopardizes his campaign efforts. “For the movement to continue, it can’t be me,” he stated, announcing the suspension of his campaign activities.
Throughout the video, Platner staunchly defended himself, asserting that the allegations are “not remotely true” and suggesting that powerful entities are targeting him. “This is all false,” he claimed, arguing that the incidents described did not occur and are unfounded.
He lamented the lack of time to respond adequately to the accusations, which he learned about through media inquiries, stating that the political and media establishments acted prematurely, effectively serving as “judge, jury, and executioner.” He emphasized that accusations should initiate investigations, not conclude them.
Platner, a marine veteran and oyster farmer whose populist campaign initially garnered significant support, faced multiple controversies since he entered the Senate race last year. These included scrutiny regarding his past romantic relationships, his social media presence, and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he eventually covered.
The latest allegations surfaced on Monday when a former partner accused him of forcing her into a sexual encounter nearly five years ago. Jenny Racicot, 41, described a two-year on-and-off relationship with Platner, claiming that he entered her home uninvited while intoxicated and assaulted her, prompting her to cut off all contact afterward.
In response to these claims, Platner released a video on Monday denying any non-consensual behavior, calling the allegations “categorically false.” He acknowledged the political implications of the accusations but stated that he was focused on determining the best way forward for the state and his supporters.
The allegations drew immediate reactions from Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, urging Platner to withdraw from the race. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced that it would withhold funding for the Maine Senate race unless he stepped down.
Platner’s rise in the race was marked by an anti-oligarchic message that resonated with voters, allowing him to achieve a decisive primary victory after Governor Janet Mills exited the race due to his increasing popularity.
However, controversies plagued him from the beginning. Inflammatory posts from his past, including racist and sexist comments, emerged, which Platner attributed to PTSD from his military service. He later attempted to mitigate opposition research by revealing that he had covered a tattoo that closely resembled a Nazi symbol.
Further troubling reports came to light just prior to the June primary, including sexually explicit messages with women outside his marriage and claims of abusive behavior in past relationships. One former partner accused him of physically assaulting her, while another alleged that he had removed condoms without consent during their encounters. Platner has consistently denied these allegations, labeling them as politically motivated.
As Democrats view Maine as a pivotal opportunity to secure a U.S. Senate seat, the party’s next candidate will face five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Throughout his campaign, Platner received high-profile endorsements from figures like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and others, all of whom have since rescinded their support following the recent allegations.
With Platner’s exit, the Maine Democratic Party faces a tight deadline of July 27 to select a replacement candidate, and they announced plans to convene a nominating convention to identify a new nominee. Party officials expressed optimism about the enthusiasm among Maine Democrats, driven partly by the energy generated by Platner’s campaign, and they look forward to rallying support around a new candidate to challenge Collins in the upcoming November election.
Republicans quickly seized on Platner’s departure, using it as ammunition to criticize the Democratic Party. Samantha Cantrell, a regional press secretary for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, remarked, “Maine Democrats elected a rapist Nazi to be their nominee for Senate, and regardless of who they anoint next, Susan Collins will be re-elected in November.”
