DBS WIRE: POLITICO: Exclusive: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her
Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing a new allegation of sexual assault from a former romantic partner, an accusation he has categorically denied.
In interviews with POLITICO, Maine resident Jenny Racicot alleged that Platner forced her to have sex in late 2021 after entering her home while intoxicated despite her objections. Racicot said she and Platner had previously been involved in an on-and-off relationship but that the encounter in question was not consensual.
“I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me,” Racicot told POLITICO. “I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.’”
Platner denied the allegation in a statement.
“These allegations are troubling, serious, and false,” he said. “Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue.”
According to POLITICO’s report, Racicot said she discussed the alleged incident with her therapist and later confided in others, including a subsequent romantic partner and acquaintances. The publication reported reviewing emails and messages that it said predated Platner’s Senate campaign and referenced concerns about his behavior.
Racicot said she did not report the alleged incident to law enforcement and said she struggled for years with whether to discuss it publicly.
“One of the reasons I didn’t come forward sooner was the huge moral conflict that I had between supporting his politics, but not supporting him as a person,” she told POLITICO.
The allegation comes after earlier reports examining Platner’s past relationships and behavior. In recent weeks, questions about the Democratic nominee’s history have become a growing issue in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races.
Platner, a veteran and commercial oysterman who emerged as a political newcomer during the campaign, has previously acknowledged struggles involving alcohol and mental health while disputing allegations that he abused or mistreated women.
His campaign responded forcefully to the latest report, arguing the accusation is politically motivated.
“These allegations are very serious and Graham vigorously denies them,” the campaign said. “It is not a coincidence that this story comes a week before the ballot deadline.”
The campaign further argued that opponents have repeatedly attempted to derail Platner’s candidacy and described the allegations as part of an effort to damage his campaign.
Platner is preparing to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in what is expected to be one of the most expensive and closely scrutinized Senate races of the 2026 cycle.
No criminal charges have been filed, and no law enforcement agency has publicly announced an investigation related to the allegation.
But, following Racicot’s accusation, some of the Democrat’s biggest supporters are now abandoning him at a remarkable pace.
According to statements released Monday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren withdrew her endorsement and called for Platner to step aside.
“There can be no tolerance for sexual assault,” Warren said. “With so much at stake, the best path forward is for Graham Platner to step aside as the Democratic nominee and address these serious allegations outside this Senate race.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand went even further, demanding that Platner “immediately” suspend his campaign.
“The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot,” the pair said in a joint statement.
Rep. Ro Khanna, who previously campaigned alongside Platner after earlier allegations surfaced, also withdrew his support. Khanna had previously argued that Platner was “taking accountability” for past behavior and deserved redemption, but changed course after Racicot’s allegations became public.
Several other Democrats, including Sens. Martin Heinrich, Ruben Gallego, Mark Kelly, and Elissa Slotkin, publicly distanced themselves from the embattled nominee.
The fallout extended beyond elected officials. Democratic-aligned groups including End Citizens United and VoteVets withdrew support, while progressive activists and commentators who had championed Platner’s insurgent campaign began calling for his exit.
Even left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who had been supportive of Platner’s candidacy, declared during a livestream, “This is beyond red flags. This is irredeemable.”
Platner continues to deny the allegations.
In a statement issued Monday, he described the accusations as “troubling, serious and false” and said he was taking time to consider “the best path forward” for his campaign.
The timing has placed Democrats in a difficult position. Under Maine law, Platner can be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws before the state’s July 13 deadline. Democratic leaders are now openly discussing potential replacement candidates as the party attempts to salvage what had been viewed as one of its top Senate pickup opportunities of the 2026 cycle.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins, whom Platner hoped to unseat, called the allegations “appalling” but declined to weigh in on whether he should remain in the race.
As of Monday evening, one notable ally had remained silent: Sen. Bernie Sanders, who had campaigned with Platner repeatedly during the primary and had not publicly commented on the allegations.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- POLITICO: Exclusive: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her
- POLITICO: Previous reporting on allegations involving Graham Platner’s past relationships
- The New York Times: Profile examining allegations and controversies surrounding Platner’s campaign
- Associated Press: Coverage of the Maine Senate race and Democratic primary
- Bangor Daily News: Maine Senate contest developments
- The Hill: National implications of the Maine Senate contest
