Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, is facing immense pressure from within his party to withdraw from the race following a detailed sexual assault allegation published by Politico. Jenny Racicot accused Platner of sexually assaulting her in 2021, stating he was forceful and took away her choice. While Platner has denied the accusation, calling it "categorically false," key Democratic figures, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have publicly urged him to step aside. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has also stated it will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains the nominee.
This crisis highlights a significant problem for Democrats, who saw Maine as a crucial opportunity to flip a Senate seat and gain control of the chamber. Platner, a progressive newcomer, was embraced by Schumer only after his preferred candidate, Gov. Janet Mills, suspended her campaign. Now, the party is confronting the potential for further damaging revelations and the risk of alienating voters. His past controversies, including revelations about a tattoo with Nazi imagery and allegations of unsettling behavior toward other women, had already made him a liability, with polls showing him trailing incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. A New York Times-Siena poll revealed 50% of likely Maine voters disliked him, and a Fox News poll showed him narrowly trailing Collins 50%-47%.
The deadline for Platner to withdraw under Maine law is July 13, which would give the state party two weeks to find a replacement. Potential successors being discussed include former state senator Troy Jackson, who finished third in the gubernatorial primary, as well as epidemiologist Nirav Shah and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. The situation has underscored a deep division within the Democratic Party, with some blaming Schumer for not preventing Platner's rise, while others acknowledge that Platner's support among Maine Democrats had been surprisingly durable despite his controversies. The party is in a difficult position, needing to act decisively to secure a competitive candidate for what was considered a must-win state for their Senate aspirations.
