Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, announced the suspension of his campaign on Wednesday following a serious allegation of sexual assault. This marks a dramatic and swift decline for the progressive oysterman, who had previously overcome establishment resistance with strong grassroots support to clinch his party’s nomination.
Platner’s campaign had been dogged by a series of controversies, culminating in a pivotal moment on Monday. On that day, Democratic leaders, along with many of Platner’s key progressive supporters and financial backers, withdrew their support and urged him to exit the race after POLITICO reported a fresh allegation of sexual assault against him.
Maine resident Jenny Racicot accused Platner of forcing her into non-consensual sex nearly five years ago. In a social media video lasting 11 minutes and 15 seconds posted Wednesday night, Platner denied the allegations, calling them “all false” and “not real.”
“We are suspending campaign operations,” Platner stated in the video. He added, “I want to make clear, though: I intend to file my paperwork to withdraw.”
Platner refrained from endorsing a successor, emphasizing that the selection process should be “open” and led by the “people of Maine.”
“For the movement to continue, it can’t be me,” Platner commented. “This is incredibly difficult because I know some will think it’s an admission of guilt, and it most certainly is not. We’re not doing it because of the allegations; we’re doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power.”
According to state law, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to select a replacement candidate. Platner had until July 13 to decide on his withdrawal, allowing the party time to replace him on the ballot.
Shortly before Platner’s announcement, the party approved a plan to select the replacement candidate through a state party convention.
State party officials, who had previously urged Platner to exit the race, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Following the publication of POLITICO’s article on Monday, prominent Democrats in Maine and Washington called for Platner to end his campaign. This included significant figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
Platner also lost vital financial support in a race where funding is crucial. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic National Committee, and the Senate Majority PAC, which is the leading super PAC supporting Senate Democrats, announced they are “redirecting resources away from the Maine Senate race in light of the latest allegations.”
Additionally, VoteVets, which supports veterans in elected office, and End Citizens United, a liberal advocacy group, rescinded their endorsements.
Racicot’s allegation is the most serious Platner has faced, following a report by The New York Times that she and other former partners accused him of exhibiting disturbing and sometimes violent behavior. Platner refuted these claims as well.
Racicot told POLITICO she ceased contact with Platner after she informed him that their encounter was non-consensual. She expressed being conflicted about coming forward partly because she shares his political views.
Platner launched his Senate campaign as an outsider in August 2025 with a high-profile video showcasing his rural Maine heritage and commitment to challenging corporate interests.
However, as he gained national attention, his past controversies began to surface.
POLITICO and other media outlets uncovered a series of Reddit posts made by Platner last fall that disparaged rural Mainers, advocated for violent political action, and described himself as a “communist.”
He further faced backlash when an old photo revealed he had a tattoo resembling a Nazi totenkopf on his chest, which he later covered, claiming ignorance of its Nazi connotations.
Despite these controversies, Platner maintained momentum in the polls, prompting Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, the establishment’s preferred candidate against GOP Sen. Susan Collins, to suspend her campaign before the primary due to financial constraints. Platner won the largely uncontested Democratic primary on June 9 with 72 percent of the vote.
Platner’s withdrawal leaves Democrats in a scramble ahead of a crucial Senate race against Collins, which the party has deemed essential for regaining control of the upper chamber in November.
Whether Mills will re-enter the race remains uncertain, though a source familiar with the situation suggested to POLITICO that party leaders are unlikely to support her candidacy. Other potential Democratic candidates include former public health official Nirav Shah, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson—who unsuccessfully ran for governor this year—as well as state Rep. Valli Geiger and brewery owner Dan Kleban, who briefly entered the Senate race last year before stepping aside for Mills.
Aaron Pelish contributed to this report.
