Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner quits Maine race after rape allegations

Oyster farmer and former Marine Graham Platner has abandoned his bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine after a former partner accused him of sexual assault, allegations he continues to deny.

Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner quits Maine race after rape allegations

An oyster farmer and former Marine running as a Democrat for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine has ended his campaign after a former girlfriend publicly accused him of forcing himself on her.

Graham Platner, who had won backing from progressive leaders including Bernie Sanders, said in a video on X that he would suspend his effort to unseat Republican incumbent Susan Collins. The announcement followed a Politico report in which Jenny Racicot alleged that in late 2021, Platner arrived at her home uninvited, ignored her refusals, and sexually assaulted her in her bedroom while drunk. Platner has called the account untrue.

The Maine contest had been seen as critical for Democratic chances of flipping the Senate in November. The state has voted for Democratic presidential nominees since 1992, yet Collins has held the seat since 1996. Surveys had shown Platner ahead, riding a wave of support for his anti-oligarchy and cost-of-living platform.

Platner said his exit does not mean he accepts guilt. He charged that party leaders weaponized the claims to choke off his campaign. "Those who hold the power and have the ability are using these accusations as a pretext to take away everything we need to run a campaign," he stated.

Senior Democrats had swiftly demanded he withdraw. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee warned it would halt financial support if he stayed in.

The candidate's problems had been mounting. In early June, the New York Times reported that multiple ex-partners characterized Platner as sometimes disrespectful toward women and habitually unfaithful. One woman said he acted in a physically intimidating manner toward her. Platner then admitted he had relied heavily on alcohol during a difficult stretch of his life.

He has attributed some of his struggles to PTSD from three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

Other issues have dogged him. A social media post from 2013 resurfaced in which he told women to stay sober to avoid becoming victims of sexual violence. A tattoo on his chest — a skull with crossed bones associated with Nazi SS imagery — has also drawn condemnation.

Maine Democrats now have until late July to pick a new nominee.

Source: Le HuffPost

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