Guardian

Graham Platner ends Maine Senate campaign after sexual assault allegation

Graham Platner drops out of Maine Senate race

Graham Platner drops out of Senate race, allowing Maine Democrats to replace him

FOX News

Platner drops out of crucial Senate race after bombshell rape allegation torpedoes campaign

Breitbart

Platner Suspends Maine Senate Campaign After Sex Assault Allegations

The Washington Examiner

Graham Platner suspends Senate campaign after sexual assault allegations

Fetterman unloads on scandal-plagued Platner after rape allegation ends Senate bid: 'Adios, trash bag'

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Which Party Will Win The 2026 Maine Gubernatorial Election

The Washington Post

Ex Girlfriend Graham Platner Says He Removed Condoms Without Consent

Republicans tie battleground Democrats to Graham Platner

Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign Wednesday evening, announcing the decision in an 11-minute video posted to X in which he denied sexual assault allegations and blamed the political establishment for forcing him out.

Graham Platner

Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign Wednesday evening, announcing the decision in an 11-minute video posted to X in which he denied sexual assault allegations and blamed the political establishment for forcing him out.

The allegations that triggered Platner's exit came from Jenny Racicot, 41, who told Politico that in late 2021 an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her despite repeated objections. A second accuser, ex-girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield, told The Washington Post that Platner removed condoms during sex without consent on at least six occasions.

The allegations that triggered Platner's exit came from Jenny Racicot, 41, who told Politico that in late 2021 an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her despite repeated objections. A second accuser, ex-girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield, told The Washington Post that Platner removed condoms during sex without consent on at least six occasions.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said they would not invest in the Maine race if Platner remained on the ballot. Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Ruben Gallego all <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/dems-urge-maine-senate-nominee-to-quit-over-assault-claim">rescinded their endorsements</a> following the latest allegations.

Bernie Sanders

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said they would not invest in the Maine race if Platner remained on the ballot. Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Ruben Gallego all rescinded their endorsements following the latest allegations.

Platner's campaign had faced a series of earlier controversies, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/maine-senate-candidate-platner-hit-by-inflammatory-reddit-posts">deleted Reddit posts</a>, a chest tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol he said he had covered up, and allegations from former partners of abusive behavior during past relationships.

Platner's campaign had faced a series of earlier controversies, including deleted Reddit posts, a chest tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol he said he had covered up, and allegations from former partners of abusive behavior during past relationships.

Several Democrats have already declared interest in replacing Platner, including former state Sen. Troy Jackson, brewery owner Dan Kleban and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. The new nominee will face five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins in November.

Troy Jackson

Several Democrats have already declared interest in replacing Platner, including former state Sen. Troy Jackson, brewery owner Dan Kleban and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. The new nominee will face five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins in November.

Because Platner withdrew ahead of Maine's July 13 deadline, the state Democratic Party can replace him on the general election ballot. The party voted to hold a nominating convention and must submit a new nominee to the secretary of state by 5 p.m. on July 27.

Because Platner withdrew ahead of Maine's July 13 deadline, the state Democratic Party can replace him on the general election ballot. The party voted to hold a nominating convention and must submit a new nominee to the secretary of state by 5 p.m. on July 27.

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The allegations that triggered Platner's exit came from Jenny Racicot, 41, who told Politico that in late 2021 an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her despite repeated objections. A second allegation, reported by The Washington Post, accused Platner of removing condoms during sex without consent on at least six occasions.

The allegations that triggered Platner's exit came from Jenny Racicot, 41, who told Politico that in late 2021 an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her despite repeated objections. A second allegation, reported by The Washington Post, accused Platner of removing condoms during sex without consent on at least six occasions.

Platner's exit exposes a Democratic Party that backed a deeply flawed candidate despite glaring red flags. Democrats who endorsed Platner owe Maine voters a serious apology for championing someone with abuse allegations, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol and a rape accusation. Maine deserves better than a candidate whose entire legacy is being overshadowed by credible misconduct claims.

Platner's exit exposes a Democratic Party that backed a deeply flawed candidate despite glaring red flags. Democrats who endorsed Platner owe Maine voters a serious apology for championing someone with abuse allegations, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol and a rape accusation. Maine deserves better than a candidate whose entire legacy is being overshadowed by credible misconduct claims.

Charlotte Clymer

Platner stepping aside is the right call, but Democrats must make sure voters — not party insiders — choose his replacement if the party wants any credibility heading into November. The allegations are appalling and disqualifying, and Racicot and survivors deserve to be heard. Winning back the Senate matters, but it has to be done with a candidate Maine can actually be proud of.

Platner stepping aside is the right call, but Democrats must make sure voters — not party insiders — choose his replacement if the party wants any credibility heading into November. The allegations are appalling and disqualifying, and Racicot and survivors deserve to be heard. Winning back the Senate matters, but it has to be done with a candidate Maine can actually be proud of.

Jamie Raskin

Chris Murphy

There's an 84% chance that the Democratic Party will win the 2026 Maine gubernatorial election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's an 84% chance that the Democratic Party will win the 2026 Maine gubernatorial election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

US Midterms: Maine Senate Race

US Midterms: Project 2029

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Platner Drops Maine Senate Bid Over Sexual Assault Claims

Mel Musto/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Platner Drops Maine Senate Bid Over Sexual Assault Claims

Platner's exit exposes a Democratic Party that backed a deeply flawed candidate despite glaring red flags. Democrats who endorsed him owe Maine voters a serious apology for championing someone with abuse allegations, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol and a rape accusation. The party's rush to distance itself now can't undo months spent standing by him, forfeiting any real claim to the moral high ground it likes to campaign on.

Platner's exit exposes a Democratic Party that backed a deeply flawed candidate despite glaring red flags. Democrats who endorsed him owe Maine voters a serious apology for championing someone with abuse allegations, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol and a rape accusation. The party's rush to distance itself now can't undo months spent standing by him, forfeiting any real claim to the moral high ground it likes to campaign on.

This wasn't accountability — it was a coordinated takedown. Party elites, spooked by Platner's outsider, anti-establishment appeal and grassroots fundraising, seized on last-minute allegations to engineer his exit and install a safer insider before voters ever got a say. Timing this convenient deserves scrutiny, not blind trust.

This wasn't accountability — it was a coordinated takedown. Party elites, spooked by Platner's outsider, anti-establishment appeal and grassroots fundraising, seized on last-minute allegations to engineer his exit and install a safer insider before voters ever got a say. Timing this convenient deserves scrutiny, not blind trust.

Platner Drops Maine Senate Bid Over Sexual Assault Claims

Platner Drops Maine Senate Bid Over Sexual Assault Claims

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Platner Drops Maine Senate Bid Over Sexual Assault Claims

Platner Drops Maine Senate Bid Over Sexual Assault Claims

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