Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner announced Wednesday that he is suspending his campaign and intends to withdraw from Maine’s closely watched Senate race after a former girlfriend accused him of assault.
Platner, an oyster farmer and military veteran who won the Democratic primary earlier this year, made the announcement in a video posted on social media on July 8.
He denied the allegation and said his decision to step aside should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
Instead, Platner argued that the movement behind his campaign should continue without him and said the process of choosing a replacement should remain in the hands of Maine Democrats.
Platner Says Replacement Should Be Chosen in Maine
In his video statement, Platner said the decision about who replaces him on the ballot should be made through an open and transparent process rather than by political leaders in Washington.
He also criticized the speed with which the allegation became public, saying he first learned about it through media inquiries before having an opportunity to respond.
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Platner maintained that accusations should begin an investigative process rather than serve as an immediate judgment on a person’s guilt.
He said suspending his campaign was necessary because he no longer believed he could effectively lead the movement that had supported his candidacy.
Former Girlfriend Accuses Platner of Assault
The campaign announcement followed allegations made by Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend, who accused Platner of assaulting her nearly five years ago.
According to reporting published earlier this week, Racicot alleged that Platner arrived at her home uninvited while intoxicated and forced himself on her despite her repeatedly telling him to stop.
Platner has categorically denied the accusation. The allegation prompted immediate calls from prominent Democrats for him to end his Senate campaign.
Democratic Leaders Withdraw Support
Several high-profile Democratic leaders who had previously supported Platner publicly urged him to leave the race after the allegation became public.
Those calling for him to withdraw included Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ed Markey, Ruben Gallego and Ro Khanna.
Hannah Pingree also joined calls for Platner to step aside.
Many of those figures had endorsed Platner during his campaign, making their reversal particularly significant.
Campaign Already Faced Multiple Controversies
The latest allegation was not the first controversy to affect Platner’s campaign.
Earlier reports highlighted explicit text messages he had sent to multiple women. Platner also faced scrutiny over a tattoo that he said he later learned had Nazi associations. He said he covered the tattoo after discovering its meaning.
Another former girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, also recently expanded on previous allegations involving Platner, accusing him of removing protection during bedroom acts without her knowledge. Platner denied those claims as well.
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Despite those controversies, Platner won the Democratic primary by a wide margin, receiving more than 70 percent of the vote.
His campaign focused heavily on portraying himself as a political outsider committed to addressing wealth inequality and defeating incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
What Happens Next in the Maine Senate Race?
Platner had been scheduled to face Collins in the November general election in one of the most closely watched Senate contests of the 2026 election cycle.
Following news of the allegation, Collins described the accusations as appalling but said it was not her role to determine who the Democratic nominee should be.
Under Maine election law, Platner has until July 13 to formally withdraw from the ballot.
Once the withdrawal becomes official, the Maine Democratic Party will have until July 27 to choose a replacement nominee. No successor has yet been publicly identified.
Recent polling had already shown Collins holding a narrow advantage over Platner heading into the fall campaign.
