Maine Democrat Senate nominee withdraws amid assault claim

Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, ended his campaign on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, following a detailed sexual assault allegation that triggered a mass withdrawal of support from his own party. The 41-year-old Marine veteran and oyster farmer announced his decision in an 11-minute social media video, stating he would formally file paperwork to withdraw, a move that upends a crucial race against Republican Senator Susan Collins and forces state Democrats to scramble to name a replacement before a legal deadline.

Platner’s withdrawal followed a report published Monday, July 6, by Politico featuring an account from Maine resident Jenny Racicot. Racicot, 41, stated she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner and alleged that in late 2021, he arrived at her home uninvited while intoxicated and forced her to have sex despite her repeated objections. In a subsequent CNN interview, Racicot said, "He violated multiple layers of consent that night." Platner has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them "categorically false" and characterizing them as a coordinated attack.

The political fallout was immediate and comprehensive. Within hours, prominent...