Maine Democrats urge Platner to withdraw after new sexual assault allegation

Graham Platner faces calls to withdraw after sexual assault allegation in Maine

What happened, where, who, when and result: A woman who previously dated Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner told Politico that he entered her home in Maine uninvited and sexually assaulted her; the account was published on Monday and prompted prominent Democrats and the Maine Democratic Party to call for Platner to withdraw from the November race, while Platner denied the allegation and said he was “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.”

The allegation, described in a series of interviews by Jenny Racicot, 41, says the encounter occurred during an on-and-off relationship and that Platner appeared very intoxicated. Racicot told Politico she stopped contact after saying the encounter was not consensual.

The report follows a New York Times story published ahead of the Maine primary that included accounts from three former girlfriends alleging erratic and angry behaviour by Platner. Racicot said she was interviewed for the Times piece but did not initially go public with her specific claim because she did not want to be identified as a rape victim.

Following Monday’s Politico article, figures including Donna Brazile and Representatives Ruben Gallego and Ro Khanna rescinded support or called for Platner to step aside. The Maine Democratic Party issued a statement saying multiple women have made “serious, credible allegations” and called on Platner to withdraw as the party’s nominee.

Platner, a former combat marine and oyster farmer who is set to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, denied the Politico allegation as “categorically false” in a video statement but said he would reflect on the campaign’s path forward. His campaign postponed several events after the story published, and the BBC and other outlets have sought comment from his team.

The campaign has faced other controversies, including reports of a chest tattoo resembling a Nazi-era “Totenkopf,” resurfaced online comments in which Platner appeared to blame sexual assault victims for their own assaults, and revelations of extramarital messages. Platner said he removed the tattoo, acknowledged past mistakes early in his marriage and asked voters for forgiveness for old internet remarks.

Democrats view the Maine Senate race as pivotal to their chances of flipping control of the chamber. Some party leaders said the allegations and prior revelations make Platner’s continued candidacy untenable ahead of the November election, while Platner has so far rejected calls to withdraw.

The developments add to a chronology of disclosures that began with the Times report before the primary and continued with the Politico allegation on Monday, prompting immediate political reactions and further scrutiny of Platner’s campaign.