Senate Candidate Graham Platner Faces Calls to Withdraw

Jenny Racicot detailed an encounter in which she says the 41-year-old candidate entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her despite her repeated protests. The account, published by Politico, includes corroborating documentation such as emails with a therapist. Platner addressed the claims in a video statement, labeling the accusations false and attributing them to a coordinated effort by political establishment operatives designed to derail his campaign just before the ballot deadline.

The fallout has been swift. Representatives Ro Khanna and Ruben Gallego have withdrawn their endorsements, and top officials within the Maine Democratic Party have issued a formal call for Platner to step down. This latest controversy adds to a turbulent cycle for the political newcomer, who previously faced scrutiny over Reddit posts and a controversial tattoo. Despite these challenges, Platner’s campaign insists the candidate will continue his efforts to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins, framing the allegations as a continuation of desperate political smears.