Democrats abandon Platner after sexual assault allegation

Prominent Democrats moved swiftly Monday to abandon Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after Politico published an allegation from a former girlfriend who said he sexually assaulted her in 2021, triggering calls for him to leave a race the party views as critical.

Platner denied the allegation in a video posted to social media minutes after the report appeared, but said he was reassessing his campaign.

“Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we’re taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” he said.

Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend, told Politico that Platner entered her Maine home uninvited while intoxicated in late 2021 and forced her to have nonconsensual sex, despite her repeatedly telling him to stop, Al Jazeera reported. Platner has denied the allegation.

The reaction from Democratic officials was immediate. Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who had endorsed Platner, said he was withdrawing his support and urged him to drop out.

“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna said. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”

Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona also rescinded his endorsement. “The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious,” Gallego said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand issued a joint statement calling the allegations “absolutely unacceptable” and warning that national Democrats would not spend money on the contest if Platner stays in the race.

“The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot,” they said.

The Maine Democratic Party also called on Platner to withdraw. End Citizens United, a Democratic-leaning political group, pulled its endorsement and called the allegations “profoundly disturbing and disqualifying.”

“The conduct described is fundamentally inconsistent with the standards we expect from the candidates we support,” the group said.

Hasan Piker, a leftist commentator and streamer who had supported Platner, also appeared to reverse course after the report. “If new evidence presents itself, I’m going to change my perspective – it’s that simple,” he said during a Twitch livestream. “This is a clear-cut instance of verifiable sexual assault allegations. It’s completely irredeemable.”

Platner, a Marine veteran and former private security contractor, has campaigned as a progressive outsider. Al Jazeera reported that he won Maine’s Democratic primary in April, defeating a centrist Democrat from the party’s establishment wing, and is running against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

The accusation adds to earlier controversies surrounding Platner. Al Jazeera reported that he had a chest tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he denied knowing about and later had covered up. He also has faced scrutiny over controversial social media posts and reports that he sexted with other women shortly after getting married.

The timetable for replacing him is tight. Under Maine law, Platner can be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, according to the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. The state party must name a replacement no later than 5 p.m. on the fourth Monday in July, which this year falls on July 27.

As of early Monday evening, two of Platner’s highest-profile Senate backers, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, had not responded publicly, Talking Points Memo reported.