Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in Maine, has announced the suspension of his campaign following a series of sexual assault allegations. Platner, an oyster farmer and former marine veteran, made the announcement in an 11-minute video posted to social media on Wednesday, 8 July 2026. In the video, he vehemently denied the accusations, attributing them to what he described as a concerted effort by the Democratic establishment and corporate media to undermine his campaign.
The most recent allegations, published by Politico on Monday, 6 July 2026, came from Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old woman who claimed Platner forced her to have sex in late 2021 despite her repeated objections. This was followed by a Washington Post report on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, detailing claims from another ex-girlfriend that Platner had removed condoms without her consent on multiple occasions. Platner has consistently maintained his innocence, stating, "The things that have been claimed did not happen. It's not real."
Despite his denials, the allegations swiftly led to calls for his withdrawal from prominent Democrats, including Senate leader Chuck Schumer. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), the party's primary fundraising and recruitment arm for Senate candidates, also indicated it would cease financial support for the Maine race if Platner remained a candidate. This pressure ultimately led to his decision to step aside, with Platner stating, "For the movement to continue, it can't be me."
Platner's campaign had been mired in controversy since he entered the Senate contest last year. Early issues included the surfacing of racist, sexist, and homophobic Reddit posts, which he attributed to PTSD from his military service. He also faced scrutiny over a since-covered tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. Further reports emerged before the June Democratic primary, detailing sexually explicit texts and allegations of abusive behaviour in past relationships.
His populist platform, which focused on anti-oligarchy messaging, had initially garnered significant support, leading to a comfortable primary win after Governor Janet Mills suspended her own bid. However, the continuous stream of scandals appears to have become insurmountable for the campaign. Democrats had considered the Maine Senate seat a critical opportunity to gain control of the upper chamber in the US Congress, making Platner's withdrawal a significant setback for the party's national strategy.