Top Democrats press Maine Senate candidate to drop out of race over sexual assault allegation
✓Top Democrats are calling for Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic candidate for the US Senate, to drop out of the race after a woman he previously dated accused him of sexual assault.
The woman detailed the alleged assault in a series of interviews with Politico, which were published on Monday.
Platner, a former Marine and oyster farmer, denied the allegation, calling it "categorically false", but said he was "taking the time to reflect on the best path forward" in the race, which is pivotal to Democrats' chances of gaining control of the Senate.
His campaign has been rocked by multiple scandals, including the discovery of a tattoo on his chest resembling a Nazi symbol.
Two lawmakers who endorsed Platner in March rescinded their support with Sen Gallego calling the allegations "troubling and deeply serious" and Heinrich describing it as "appalling". Rep Khanna, who had appeared at rallies with Platner and was considered a strong supporter, called the report serious and credible, adding "Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement".
Meanwhile, the Maine Democratic Party also called on him to step aside.
"Over the past several weeks, multiple women have made serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner. Today's statements take those allegations even further," a statement from the state's political party reads. "Maine Democratic Party leadership is calling on Graham Platner to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate."
"Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to and the goal of defeating Susan Collins," Platner said in a video statement on social media shortly after the story was published by Politico.
Prominent Democrats in the Senate, along with Maine's Democratic party, have called on Platner to "immediately withdraw".
Senator Bernie Sanders, one of Platner's biggest backers who stood by him after earlier controversies, said he had spoken with Platner about the "best path forward for Maine".
"In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside," Sanders said.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement: "The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing – violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable."
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee - which provides millions of dollars in support to the party's candidates - "will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot", they added.
The list of Democrats calling on him to drop out grew on Tuesday, to include Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Elissa Slotkin, while three supporters in the party withdrew their endorsements - congressman Ro Khanna and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the calls, saying it was "time for him to drop out of the race".
Platner's campaign has postponed several events that were scheduled for this week. The BBC has reached out to the campaign for comment.
Platner is set to take on the incumbent senator, Republican Susan Collins, who has beaten back political challenges for three decades, in November's congressional elections.
The race is one of several pivotal to Democrats eyeing a longshot bid to flip control of the Senate in what are commonly called the midterms.
Adding to the pressure for the party, Platner must withdraw from the race by 13 July in order for his name to be removed from the state's ballot and be replaced by another candidate's.
Jenny Racicot, 41, alleged in a series of interviews with Politico that after an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years, he entered her home in Maine uninvited and sexually assaulted her. She said Platner allegedly appeared very intoxicated.
Racicot said she cut off contact with Platner after telling him the encounter was not consensual.
She said she felt compelled to publicly speak of her experience because of the controversial reaction to a story published by the New York Times, in which several women alleged Platner had mistreated them.
The report last month detailed the accounts of three former girlfriends who accused him of erratic and angry behaviour. It was published just before the primary race in the state.
Racicot told Politico she was one of the women interviewed by the Times, but she was reluctant to go public with her specific claims because she did not want to be known as a rape victim.
Platner denied the allegations and refused to drop out of the race.
A second woman, who said she dated Platner from 2013-15, came forward this week accusing him of nonconsensual sexual conduct.
Lyndsey Fifield alleged in an interview with the Washington Post that Platner repeatedly removed condoms without her consent during sex.
The nonconsensual removal of a condom during sex - known as "stealthing" - is illegal in some states, including Maine, but is not explicitly unlawful under a specific statute in Washington DC, where the alleged incidents happened.
Platner's campaign called Fifield's allegation "categorically false and politically motivated" in a statement to the Post. Fifield has worked in Repubican politics.
The BBC has contacted his campaign about the accusation.
He has faced a number of other controversies over his campaign.
There were reports about a tattoo on his chest resembling a Nazi symbol that sparked backlash. Then, online comments he made dismissing rape were unearthed, and stories that he was unfaithful to his wife were leaked to US news outlets.
Regarding the tattoo, Platner said he covered up what appeared to resemble the "Totenkopf" - German for "death's head" - used by Nazi forces during World War Two. He said he got the tattoo in Croatia with his fellow Marines in 2007 while drinking.
Old Reddit posts showed Platner saying victims of sexual assault should "take some responsibility for themselves" and not get so intoxicated. After the posts were unearthed, Platner asked voters for forgiveness.
"Maine, I am asking you not to judge me for the worst thing I said on the internet, on my worst day 14 years ago, but who I am today and the kind of senator I promise to be," he said in an ad addressing the remarks.
And when the allegations that Platner had exchanged sexually explicit texts on a messaging app with women outside his marriage, he acknowledged they were true.
"At the beginning of our marriage, I made mistakes, and Amy held me accountable for them, and we worked through them, and the work that we did made our marriage significantly stronger, and who we are today is an incredibly faithful and happy married couple," Platner said in an interview on MS Now.
On Tuesday, former state Senate president Troy Jackson, a Democrat, appeared to be ready to launch an election run, should Platner drop out.
An exploratory committee filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on behalf of Jackson, who mounted an unsuccessful bid for Maine governor this year.
Another Democrat, Nirav Shah, the former director of Maine's public health agency, noted on X that he was discussing with his family whether to jump into the race.
Read the full story at The Hill ↗ · BBC ↗
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for Maine's U.S. Senate seat, faces calls to drop out following sexual assault allegations. A woman detailed an alleged uninvited sexual assault to Politico; a second woman accused him of nonconsensual sexual conduct. Platner denies both allegations. Senior Democrats including Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer, and Kirsten Gillibrand have publicly recommended his withdrawal. The Maine Democratic Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee stated they will not support the race if he remains the nominee. Platner's campaign has also contended with prior controversies including a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, archived online comments dismissing sexual assault victims, and acknowledged infidelity. Platner said he is reflecting on the best path forward. A July 13 deadline determines whether another candidate can replace him on Maine's ballot. The race is considered significant to Democratic efforts to gain Senate control in November's elections.
Read the full story at The Hill ↗ · BBC ↗
Top Democrats are calling for Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic candidate for the US Senate, to drop out of the race after a woman he previously dated accused him of sexual assault.
The woman detailed the alleged assault in a series of interviews with Politico, which were published on Monday.
Platner, a former Marine and oyster farmer, denied the allegation, calling it "categorically false", but said he was "taking the time to reflect on the best path forward" in the race, which is pivotal to Democrats' chances of gaining control of the Senate.
His campaign has been rocked by multiple scandals, including the discovery of a tattoo on his chest resembling a Nazi symbol.
Two lawmakers who endorsed Platner in March rescinded their support with Sen Gallego calling the allegations "troubling and deeply serious" and Heinrich describing it as "appalling". Rep Khanna, who had appeared at rallies with Platner and was considered a strong supporter, called the report serious and credible, adding "Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement".
Meanwhile, the Maine Democratic Party also called on him to step aside.
"Over the past several weeks, multiple women have made serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner. Today's statements take those allegations even further," a statement from the state's political party reads. "Maine Democratic Party leadership is calling on Graham Platner to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate."
"Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to and the goal of defeating Susan Collins," Platner said in a video statement on social media shortly after the story was published by Politico.
Prominent Democrats in the Senate, along with Maine's Democratic party, have called on Platner to "immediately withdraw".
Senator Bernie Sanders, one of Platner's biggest backers who stood by him after earlier controversies, said he had spoken with Platner about the "best path forward for Maine".
"In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside," Sanders said.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement: "The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing – violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable."
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee - which provides millions of dollars in support to the party's candidates - "will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot", they added.
The list of Democrats calling on him to drop out grew on Tuesday, to include Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Elissa Slotkin, while three supporters in the party withdrew their endorsements - congressman Ro Khanna and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the calls, saying it was "time for him to drop out of the race".
Platner's campaign has postponed several events that were scheduled for this week. The BBC has reached out to the campaign for comment.
Platner is set to take on the incumbent senator, Republican Susan Collins, who has beaten back political challenges for three decades, in November's congressional elections.
The race is one of several pivotal to Democrats eyeing a longshot bid to flip control of the Senate in what are commonly called the midterms.
Adding to the pressure for the party, Platner must withdraw from the race by 13 July in order for his name to be removed from the state's ballot and be replaced by another candidate's.
Jenny Racicot, 41, alleged in a series of interviews with Politico that after an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years, he entered her home in Maine uninvited and sexually assaulted her. She said Platner allegedly appeared very intoxicated.
Racicot said she cut off contact with Platner after telling him the encounter was not consensual.
She said she felt compelled to publicly speak of her experience because of the controversial reaction to a story published by the New York Times, in which several women alleged Platner had mistreated them.
The report last month detailed the accounts of three former girlfriends who accused him of erratic and angry behaviour. It was published just before the primary race in the state.
Racicot told Politico she was one of the women interviewed by the Times, but she was reluctant to go public with her specific claims because she did not want to be known as a rape victim.
Platner denied the allegations and refused to drop out of the race.
A second woman, who said she dated Platner from 2013-15, came forward this week accusing him of nonconsensual sexual conduct.
Lyndsey Fifield alleged in an interview with the Washington Post that Platner repeatedly removed condoms without her consent during sex.
The nonconsensual removal of a condom during sex - known as "stealthing" - is illegal in some states, including Maine, but is not explicitly unlawful under a specific statute in Washington DC, where the alleged incidents happened.
Platner's campaign called Fifield's allegation "categorically false and politically motivated" in a statement to the Post. Fifield has worked in Repubican politics.
The BBC has contacted his campaign about the accusation.
He has faced a number of other controversies over his campaign.
There were reports about a tattoo on his chest resembling a Nazi symbol that sparked backlash. Then, online comments he made dismissing rape were unearthed, and stories that he was unfaithful to his wife were leaked to US news outlets.
Regarding the tattoo, Platner said he covered up what appeared to resemble the "Totenkopf" - German for "death's head" - used by Nazi forces during World War Two. He said he got the tattoo in Croatia with his fellow Marines in 2007 while drinking.
Old Reddit posts showed Platner saying victims of sexual assault should "take some responsibility for themselves" and not get so intoxicated. After the posts were unearthed, Platner asked voters for forgiveness.
"Maine, I am asking you not to judge me for the worst thing I said on the internet, on my worst day 14 years ago, but who I am today and the kind of senator I promise to be," he said in an ad addressing the remarks.
And when the allegations that Platner had exchanged sexually explicit texts on a messaging app with women outside his marriage, he acknowledged they were true.
"At the beginning of our marriage, I made mistakes, and Amy held me accountable for them, and we worked through them, and the work that we did made our marriage significantly stronger, and who we are today is an incredibly faithful and happy married couple," Platner said in an interview on MS Now.
On Tuesday, former state Senate president Troy Jackson, a Democrat, appeared to be ready to launch an election run, should Platner drop out.
An exploratory committee filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on behalf of Jackson, who mounted an unsuccessful bid for Maine governor this year.
Another Democrat, Nirav Shah, the former director of Maine's public health agency, noted on X that he was discussing with his family whether to jump into the race.
Read the full story at The Hill ↗ · BBC ↗
A woman detailed allegations of sexual assault by Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic Senate candidate, in interviews with Politico published Monday. Platner is a former Marine and oyster farmer. Platner called the allegation 'categorically false'. Platner said he was 'taking the time to reflect on the best path forward' in the race. The Senate race is pivotal to Democrats' chances of gaining control of the Senate. A tattoo on Platner's chest was discovered to resemble a Nazi symbol. Senators Bernie Sanders, Martin Heinrich, and Ruben Gallego, and Representative Ro Khanna rescinded their endorsements of Platner. The Maine Democratic Party called on Platner to withdraw as the Democratic nominee. Bernie Sanders recommended that Platner 'step aside' in light of the allegations. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee stated it 'will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot'. Platner must withdraw by July 13 for his name to be removed from Maine's ballot. Jenny Racicot, 41, alleged in interviews that after an on-and-off relationship with Platner lasting over two years, he entered her home uninvited and sexually assaulted her. Racicot said Platner appeared very intoxicated during the alleged assault. Racicot had been interviewed by the New York Times about allegations against Platner but did not initially publicly disclose the sexual assault allegation. A second woman, Lyndsey Fifield, alleged Platner repeatedly removed condoms without her consent. The nonconsensual removal of condoms, known as 'stealthing', is illegal in Maine but not explicitly unlawful under a specific statute in Washington D.C., where Fifield said the incidents occurred. Platner's campaign called Fifield's allegation 'categorically false and politically motivated'. Fifield has worked in Republican politics. Platner said the tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol was a 'Totenkopf' that he covered up; he got it in Croatia with fellow Marines in 2007 while drinking. Old Reddit posts showed Platner saying sexual assault victims should 'take some responsibility for themselves' and not get so intoxicated. Platner acknowledged exchanging sexually explicit texts with women outside his marriage. Platner stated in an interview that he made mistakes at the beginning of his marriage, his wife held him accountable, and they worked through them. Former state Senate president Troy Jackson filed an exploratory committee to potentially run for the Senate seat if Platner withdraws. Nirav Shah, former director of Maine's public health agency, said he was discussing with his family whether to enter the race. Platner is running against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Read the full story at The Hill ↗ · BBC ↗
- A woman accused Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic Senate candidate, of sexual assault in interviews published Monday; Platner denies the allegation.
- Multiple prominent Democrats, including Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer, have called on Platner to withdraw from the race against Republican Susan Collins.
- Platner's campaign has faced multiple controversies including a Nazi-resembling tattoo, old comments dismissing sexual assault, and infidelity allegations.
- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said it will not fund the Maine race if Platner remains on the ballot; he must withdraw by July 13 to be replaced on the ballot.
- A second woman came forward accusing Platner of nonconsensual condom removal during sexual encounters.