Platner reconsidering Senate bid after sexual assault accusation
Platner reconsidering Senate run after sexual assault allegation and party pressure.
Event / Politics
US Senate Maine 2026
2026 US Senate election in Maine with Democratic nominee facing allegations and party pressure
2 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Jul, 00:23 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Multiple Democratic senators rescind endorsements of Graham Platner
Several Democratic senators who had endorsed Graham Platner withdrew their support following the sexual assault allegations. Elizabeth Warren, Ruben Gallego, and Martin Heinrich all rescinded their endorsements. Representative Ro Khanna, who had been one of Platner's vocal supporters, also withdrew his endorsement, stating that sexual assault is a "red line" for him.
Woman accuses Graham Platner of sexual assault in 2021
Jenny Racicot, 41, accused Graham Platner of forcing her to have sex despite her repeated objections in late 2021. Racicot alleged that an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her. She said she terminated contact after the encounter. The allegation was reported by Politico on Monday, July 7, 2026. Platner denied the claims, calling them "categorically untrue."
Maine Democratic Party sets deadline for replacement nominee if Platner withdraws
Maine Democratic Party leaders established a timeline for selecting a replacement nominee if Graham Platner withdraws. Under state law, Platner has until 5pm ET on July 13, 2026 to drop out. If he withdraws, the Democratic party will have a two-week window until July 27 to select a replacement candidate for the Senate race against Republican Susan Collins.
Graham Platner says he is reconsidering his campaign after allegations
Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, released a video statement on Monday acknowledging the political reality of the sexual assault allegations while maintaining his denial. He said his team is taking time to "reflect on the best path forward" for Maine and his campaign to defeat Republican Senator Susan Collins. Under Maine state law, Platner would have until 5pm ET on July 13 to withdraw.
Top Democratic leaders call for Graham Platner to withdraw from Maine Senate race
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair Kirsten Gillibrand called for Platner to "immediately withdraw" from the Maine Senate race following sexual assault allegations. The DSCC stated it will not invest in the race if Platner remains on the ballot. Maine Democratic Party leadership also called for his withdrawal.
Platner cancels campaign town halls
Graham Platner's campaign canceled multiple town halls scheduled in Maine, including events in Augusta, Gorham, and Sanford. Local Democrats stated they were told that Platner was not feeling well.
Platner's character ratings trail Collins in polling
A New York Times/Press Herald/Siena poll found that only 44% of likely Maine voters said Platner has good character and 47% said he had the right moral values, compared to Republican Sen. Susan Collins' 66% and 61%, respectively.
Platner won Democratic primary last month
Graham Platner easily won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine last month after his main rival, Governor Janet Mills, suspended her campaign in April. Mills was the preferred choice of the D.C. Democratic establishment.
Maine Democratic Party calls for Platner to withdraw from Senate race
The Maine Democratic Party leadership formally called for Graham Platner to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate following the sexual assault allegations. In a written statement signed by Chairman Charlie Dingman, Vice Chairman Imke Schessler, and Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson, party leadership stated they take seriously their responsibility to hold candidates to the highest standard and expressed support for the women who came forward with allegations.
Maine Senate race faces tight contest between Platner and Collins
Maine's 2026 U.S. Senate race between Democratic nominee Graham Platner and Republican incumbent Susan Collins is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the country. Recent polling shows the race remains tight. Maine is considered one of Democrats' best pickup opportunities, as Collins is the only Senate Republican running in a state won by Democrats in the 2024 presidential election. Democrats need to flip four seats to gain control of the Senate.
Democratic politicians and organizations call for Platner to drop out
Multiple Democratic politicians and organizations called for Graham Platner to withdraw from the Senate race following the sexual assault allegations. Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a previous supporter of Platner, called for him to drop out. End Citizens United, an organization focused on reducing the role of large campaign donations in politics, rescinded its endorsement of Platner and called on him to end his campaign.
Graham Platner denies sexual assault allegations
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, denied the sexual assault allegations in a statement, saying 'These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue.' Platner posted a video to his campaign's social media account stating he is 'taking the time to reflect on the best path forward' in his Senate campaign, while characterizing the reporting as inaccurate.
Platner's past online comments and tattoo under scrutiny
Opponents of Platner's Senate campaign have seized on his past online comments, including statements blaming women for being raped. Additionally, Platner had an old tattoo of a Nazi symbol that has since been covered.
Jenny Racicot accuses Graham Platner of sexual assault in 2021
Jenny Racicot, a Maine Democrat, publicly accused Graham Platner of sexual assault. Racicot alleged that Platner entered her home while intoxicated in 2021 and forced her to have sex against her will during an on-and-off relationship that lasted from 2019 to 2021. Racicot stated: "I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me. I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, 'This is no longer my choice.'" Politico conducted multiple interviews with Racicot, reviewed communications with her therapist, and spoke to a man she confided in about the incident.
Previous allegations of mistreating women reported against Platner
The New York Times reported in early June on additional allegations against Platner regarding his treatment of women. Ex-girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield, a conservative who has worked for Republican groups, accused Platner of grabbing her by the shoulders and confining her to a bedroom during an argument in a relationship that lasted from 2013 to 2015 while Platner lived in the Washington, D.C. area. The Times reported that Fifield said Platner also made comments about raping home intruders to show dominance. The Wall Street Journal reported in late May that Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, had flagged explicit text messages Platner sent to other women early in their marriage.
Democratic Party sets July 13 deadline for Platner replacement
Maine law allows the Democratic Party to replace Platner with another candidate if he withdraws by 5 p.m. on July 13, 2026. A replacement candidate must be named by July 27.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Allegations threaten Democratic challenger's polling position in Maine Senate race
Allegations have widened the character perception gap between Platner and Collins in Maine Senate polling.
Maine Democrats demand Platner exit race amid mounting pressure
Maine Democrats demand Platner withdraw; party sets July 13 replacement deadline.
Pattern of allegations emerges against Maine Democratic candidate
Multiple allegations and scrutiny of past conduct reveal pattern against Platner.