U.S. Senate candidate Graham Plattner is facing new allegations from a Maine woman that he was forced to have a sexual relationship with her nearly five years ago, which Plattner denies.
Senate candidate Graham Platner faces new assault charges
Graham Platner faces new sexual assault allegations as he weighs his Senate campaign against Maine Sen. Susan Collins.
Democrat Graham Platner said he would “take time to reflect” on his campaign to oust Republican Sen. Susan Collins following new accusations from a Maine woman that he sexually assaulted her nearly five years ago.
Jenny Racicot, 41, told Politico in a July 6 article that she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner, the current Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Maine, for more than two years. She alleged that one night in late 2021, Mr. Platner entered her home drunk and uninvited and forcefully followed her despite her repeated requests to stop.
Raciotto told the outlet that the encounter was not consensual and that he had cut off contact with her.
Mr. Platner immediately denied the accusations.
“These allegations are alarming, material and false. Any accusation of non-consensual conduct is categorically false,” he said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.
Following Politico’s report, Platner reiterated his denial in a video posted to social media on the afternoon of July 6. He also canceled several events during the campaign on July 5th and 6th..
“We were united by our love for Maine, our belief that politics must change, and our focus on defeating Susan Collins,” Plattner said in the past tense in the video.
“Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political realities it will cause, we are taking time to reflect on the best path forward for the state I love, the people I love, the movement I belong to, and our goal of defeating Susan Collins,” Plattner continued. “These were my goals when I started this campaign, and they are still my goals.”
The alleged victim felt compelled to come forward.
Racicot, whose name previously appeared in a related New York Times article, said she felt she had to go public about the allegations because the reaction to the article was dominated by controversy about another woman, Lindsay Fifield. The Virginia conservative, who was active in right-wing groups and Republican campaigns, claimed Mr. Platner abused her and said she was targeted because of her Republican ties.
Racicot, a Democrat, told Politico that he was hesitant about coming forward because he agrees with Platner politically. She told the Times that she dated Platner casually from 2019 to 2021.
Mr. Platner’s campaign said in a statement on July 6 that the candidate had endured controversies that came to light to force him out of the race, including an article highlighting his tattoos that appeared to resemble Nazi symbols.
“Over the past year, opponents of this campaign have called Graham a Nazi, a war criminal, a communist, and thrown everything at him. None of that is true, and this one is no different. It’s no coincidence that this story was released a week before voting closed, just as the last false allegation was released a week before the primary election,” the statement said. “Graham started this campaign to fight for a Maine where everyone is treated with dignity and where Mainers come first. No amount of desperate slander can stop this movement from living out that vision.”
Maine Democratic Party asks Platner to withdraw
Meanwhile, three leaders of the Maine Democratic Party called on Mr. Platner to withdraw his Senate nomination after several women made what they called “serious and credible allegations.”
In a statement posted on social media, the leaders said they “stand with women and survivors, and those principles cannot be compromised based on party affiliation,” adding that they respect the women who have made the difficult decision to come forward. “Speaking out is often costly.”
State party leaders added that it is up to them to represent them, which requires judgment, leadership and a willingness to act when the situation demands it.
“This Senate race comes at a pivotal moment in the fight against a government supported by Senator Collins that serves the interests of the rich and powerful at the expense of ordinary Maine residents,” their statement concluded. “It is essential that we refocus this campaign on that fight.”
Leading Democratic Party defeats Mr. Platner
Meanwhile, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) said in a statement on July 6 that the allegations against Mr. Platner are “extremely disturbing,” adding that violence, abuse and sexual assault are completely unacceptable. “Graham Platner should immediately withdraw as a Democratic candidate for Senate and give the Maine Democratic Party the opportunity to choose a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins,” the committee said. “DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Mr. Platner remains on the ballot.”
Defections among other national Democrats were also rapid. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a prominent progressive who campaigned for Mr. Platner in Maine and has supported him despite past scandals, said the new allegations cross “a red line that should not be crossed.”
“These allegations are very serious and credible,” Khanna said in a statement. “Graham Platner should withdraw from the race.”
Democratic Senate candidate Alex Vindman of Florida also said Plattner should resign. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) withdrew his support.
There is still time before Platner resigns.
Maine law provides that candidates may withdraw their names from the nomination list by 5 p.m. on the second Monday in July. This year it falls on July 13th.
To do so, candidates must notify the Maine Secretary of State in writing.
If Plattner resigns, the secretary of state’s seat will be declared vacant and the Maine Democratic Party will have two weeks to nominate a replacement by July 27 at 5 p.m. in preparation for the general election.
One name that could be considered is Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who surprisingly called off her Senate campaign in April, citing financial reasons. Mills’ name remained on last month’s Senate Democratic primary ballot, receiving 19.3%.
Contributor: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY
