Maine Senate Candidate Quits After Sexual Assault Allegation

Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, announced Wednesday he is ending his campaign. The decision follows a sexual assault accusation that destroyed his support. Platner’s exit exposes deep divisions between moderate and progressive Democrats. The party now must quickly choose a replacement in a critical state for winning Senate control. Maine is a key battleground. Democrats need to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins. They saw Platner as a chance to win, especially with President Donald Trump’s low approval ratings. In an 11-minute video, Platner called for an “open, transparent and democratic” process to replace him. He attacked Washington party leaders, saying, “The people of D.C. need to stay in D.C.” Platner was a political newcomer. He was a military veteran and oyster farmer. Progressive leaders backed him over Maine Governor Janet Mills, who had party establishment support. Mills dropped out in April as Platner gained support from voters wanting a tougher anti-Trump candidate. Platner had a troubled past. He had a tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol. He also made online comments downplaying sexual assault. Just before he won the June 9 primary, reports emerged that he sent sexually explicit messages to other women while married. He was also accused of physically assaulting an ex-girlfriend. Support collapsed Monday when Politico reported a woman said Platner forced her to have sex while drunk after she told him to stop. Jenny Racicot, a Maine resident, told Politico she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner. She cut contact after a 2021 incident and made clear the encounter was not consensual. In a CNN interview, she said she was raped. Platner denied the accusation as “categorically false.” He said he would “take time to reflect.” But key supporters withdrew, including Senator Bernie Sanders, who said, “In light of these very serious allegations, I recommended he withdraw.” Maine law lets Democrats replace Platner. The state party held an emergency meeting Wednesday. Over 100 committee members approved a nomination convention if Platner stepped down. Platner announced his withdrawal one hour later. Party leaders can pick a new candidate if the primary winner withdraws before 5:00 PM on July 13. The replacement must be named by July 27. Democrats need four Senate seats to win control. Party leaders saw Maine as a key piece, along with Alaska, Ohio, and North Carolina. **Nazi Tattoo, Reddit, and Other Issues** Platner faced questions from the start of his campaign last year. Media uncovered old Reddit comments that appeared to support violence, downplay sexual assault in the military, criticize rural Americans, and use homophobic slurs. He also had a skull-and-crossbones tattoo, recognized as a Nazi symbol, on his chest. He said he did not know its history, claiming he got it while drunk on leave with other Marines in Croatia. He covered the tattoo after becoming a candidate. He said in a podcast interview, “I am not a secret Nazi. Skull and crossbones are common in the military.” However, an ex-girlfriend told The New York Times that Platner joked the tattoo was a Nazi symbol and called it “my Totenkopf.” The tattoo and online comments worried some Democrats. **Expectation** Before the Politico article, Platner canceled some voter events. These events were the heart of his campaign. Volunteers organized happy hours and trivia contests to build community around generational change—from Collins, 73, to Platner, 41. With Democrats increasingly frustrated with party leadership, Platner seemed an attractive alternative. He presented himself as an ordinary person who made mistakes and worked to improve himself and his community. He often spoke about his struggle with PTSD and emphasized redemption. Platner had support from progressives like Representative Ro Khanna of California. That support vanished after Racicot’s accusation. Khanna said, “I have made clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should withdraw. I withdraw my endorsement.”