Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner suspended his campaign Wednesday after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2019, marking a sudden end to a Senate run marred by personal controversies. Platner denied the allegations, calling them “false” and “not real,” but said pressure from state and national Democrats made it impossible for his campaign to continue. The move will significantly impact the closely watched race to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Platner announced his decision in an 11-minute social media video, blaming the “political establishment” for the situation. He intends to file paperwork to officially withdraw from the Senate race, with the state party having until July 27 to select a new nominee. The party has already stated it will hold a nominating convention to choose a new candidate, with several high-profile Maine Democrats launching Senate campaigns in recent days.
Maine Senate Race
The allegations against Platner were made by a Maine woman, Jenny Racicot, who told Politico and CNN that Platner entered her home without permission in late 2021 and forced himself on her, ignoring her demands to stop. Racicot said the two had a casual, consensual relationship before the night of the alleged assault. Platner called the allegations “categorically false” and claimed they were “coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives.”
The Maine Democratic Party, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York had all called on Platner to withdraw from the race. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said it would not invest in the race if Platner remained on the ballot, and the Senate Majority PAC redirected resources away from the Maine Senate race. Several of Platner’s high-profile supporters in Congress also took back their endorsements.
Implications and Next Steps
The suspension of Platner’s campaign will give Democrats an opportunity to regroup and select a new nominee. The party has stated it will use an “open, transparent and democratic” process to replace him. Platner urged the Maine Democratic Party to allow the people of Maine to have a say in the decision, rather than “party apparatchiks.” The outcome of the Senate race could have significant implications for control of the Senate.
The allegations against Platner and his subsequent suspension from the campaign have highlighted the importance of addressing sexual assault allegations in politics. The incident has also raised questions about the role of the “political establishment” in shaping the outcome of elections. As the Maine Democratic Party moves forward with selecting a new nominee, the focus will be on finding a candidate who can effectively challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins and potentially shift the balance of power in the Senate.
