Maine Democratic Senate Candidate Graham Platner Suspends Campaign
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has officially suspended his bid for the U.S. Senate following a sexual assault allegation. The oyster farmer and military veteran announced his decision through a social media video on Wednesday, maintaining his innocence while criticizing what he called a political establishment that rushed to judgment. Platner confirmed he would withdraw from the ballot in one of the most watched Senate races in the country. Democrats are seeking to regain control of the chamber, and this contest has attracted significant national attention.
Denouncing Premature Condemnation
In his statement, Platner expressed confidence that Maine voters should have a say in who replaces him. He emphasized that the broader movement he represents requires more than just his continued candidacy.
What comes next needs to come from the people of Maine, Platner said in the video, saying his replacement on the ballot should be done in an open, transparent way. We believe that for the movement to continue, it can’t be me. For that reason, we are suspending campaign operations.
Earlier in the same video, Platner criticized how quickly the allegations were handled by media outlets and political figures. He argued that accusations should initiate inquiry rather than conclude it.
I learned about this through press inquiries, with no time to truly respond, no time for investigations before a corporate media system and the political establishment got to act as judge, jury, and executioner. Accusations are supposed to be the beginning of things, not the end.
The Allegation and Initial Response
The controversy began when Politico published a report on Monday detailing claims from Jenny Racicot, Platner’s former girlfriend. According to the publication, Racicot alleged that five years ago, during their relationship, Platner compelled her to engage in sexual activity despite her repeated requests for him to stop. Following the Politico article, Platner issued a video statement declaring the accusations “categorically false.” He noted he was taking time to consider the most appropriate course of action.
Mounting Pressure from Party Leaders
Over the subsequent days, numerous prominent Democratic figures urged Platner to exit the race. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer joined the calls, along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Ed Markey, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ruben Gallego. Representatives Ro Khanna and Maine’s gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree also voiced their support for Platner’s withdrawal. Platner suggested that the Democratic political establishment would ultimately prevent his continued candidacy, though he insisted the allegations themselves were not the primary reason for his decision.
The brutal political reality is that they are going to take everything away from us, those in power who have the ability to do so are using these allegations as an excuse to take away all of the things that we need to run a campaign, he said. We are going to lose our ability to fund raise, we are going to lose our ability to access voter data, we are going to lose all of the things that any campaign needs on the basic level simply to function.
Looking Ahead
Platner was scheduled to face longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins in November’s general election. Following the allegations, Collins remarked that while the claims were appalling, selecting the Democratic nominee was not her responsibility. The candidate had until July 13 to formally withdraw, allowing Maine Democrats time to select a replacement. Once withdrawal paperwork is filed, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to name a new nominee. Party leaders confirmed before Platner’s announcement that they would convene a convention among members to choose his successor. Sanders and Warren had been early backers of Platner’s campaign. Despite limited political experience, Platner built his message around being an outsider capable of addressing wealth inequality and defeating Collins, whom he described as “spineless and corrupt.” Since launching his campaign, Platner has navigated several controversies, including sending sexually explicit messages to multiple women and having a tattoo featuring a Nazi symbol.
Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks to voters at a town hall at the Elks Lodge 188, June 7, 2026, in Portland, Maine. Laura Brett/Getty Images
