Maine U.S. Senate hopeful Graham Platner (D.) announced Monday that he is “taking the time to reflect” on his candidacy after stunning new sexual abuse allegations dropped in POLITICO.
A woman who once dated Platner has come forward alleging “he forced her to have sex with him nearly five years ago despite her repeated objections.”
In a video posted onto social media, Platner called the allegations “categorically false,” but stated he would be pausing his campaign nonetheless.
“Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting and mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we’re taking 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,” he said.
The latest allegations against Platner follow the allegations of Republican activist Lyndsey Fifield, who told the New York Times in June that he was physically intimidating and emotionally abusive during their relationship from 2013 to 2015.
Jenny Racicot, a fellow Democrat resident of Maine, reportedly detailed the alleged abuse to POLITICO in three interviews over the past two weeks.
Racicot, 41, said she had “an on-and-off relationship with Platner” for more than two years before the alleged incident.
She told POLITICO that he “entered her rural Maine home uninvited one night in late 2021, deeply intoxicated, and forced himself on her while she repeatedly told him to stop.”
“I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me,” she said. “I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.’”
Afterward, she allegedly told him “the encounter was not consensual,” and cut off contact with him.
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POLITICO also spoke with a man Racicot dated and confided in the years after the alleged incident, and reviewed documents, including emails between Racicot and her therapist and messages between Racicot and an acquaintance whom she warned against getting involved with Platner years before he ran for office.
Platner denied the allegations in a statement tp POLITICO.
“These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue,” he said.
Over the weekend, the embattled Democrat reportedly postponed several events scheduled for Sunday and Monday as rumors swirled among Maine Democrats about yet another round of potentially damaging allegations about his past.
Platner postponed a planned town hall in Augusta on Sunday after reportedly missing a Fourth of July parade in Machias. The Gorham Democrats on Monday morning said a town hall set for Monday was postponed because Platner was “not feeling well.” And a Sanford town hall previously listed on Mobilize was later taken down.
The embattled Democrat nominee has weathered a slew of controversies and scandals in recent months over his Nazi tattoo, graphic sexual text messages, and disgusting social media posts in which he bragged about using cocaine, described himself as a Communist, mocked a wounded veteran, fantasized about rape and admitted to having to “jerk off every time” he’s in a porta potty.
Platner has also reportedly operated an account on a social network known for pedophilia.
Until now, the candidate has enjoyed steadfast support from congressional Democrats, but the latest allegations from a fellow Democrat could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on X, Monday afternoon. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”
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