In a social media video statement released after Politico published the report, Platner acknowledged the political fallout and said he is reflecting on the best course for Maine, its residents, his movement, and the aim of defeating Senator Susan Collins, despite disputing the accuracy of the allegations.
Leading Senate Democrats and the Maine Democratic Party have urged Platner to step down from the race without delay.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued a joint statement condemning the reported allegations as deeply troubling, emphasizing that violence, abuse, and sexual assault are intolerable.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a major financial backer of the party’s Senate candidates, announced it would withhold funding from the Maine contest should Platner remain a candidate.
By Monday evening, the roster of Democrats demanding his withdrawal expanded to Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Elissa Slotkin, while Congressman Ro Khanna and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego retracted their endorsements.
The campaign has postponed several events scheduled this week. The BBC has sought comment from Platner’s team.
Platner is slated to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins—who has prevailed in elections for nearly 30 years—in November’s midterm contest.
The Maine race is among several crucial battlegrounds in the Democrats’ uphill effort to regain Senate control. Notably, no Republican has won Maine’s presidential electoral votes since 1988.
Compounding the pressure, state ballot deadlines require Platner to exit the race by July 13 for his name to be replaced with another Democratic nominee.
In interviews with Politico, 41-year-old Jenny Racicot accused Platner—with whom she had an intermittent two-year relationship—of entering her Maine residence uninvited while heavily intoxicated and assaulting her.
Racicot said she cut off contact after making clear the encounter was non-consensual.
She explained that the contentious response to a New York Times article—in which multiple women described mistreatment by Platner—prompted her to share her account publicly.
Last month’s Times report outlined allegations from three former partners who cited erratic and angry conduct, appearing shortly before the state’s primary.
Racicot said she was among those interviewed by the Times but withheld her detailed claims then to avoid being defined by the assault.
Platner has denied the accusations and resisted calls to exit the campaign.
After Monday’s Politico report surfaced fresh allegations, additional Democrats urged him to step aside before November.
Former DNC chair and strategist Donna Brazile posted on X: “It is time for Mr. Platner to step aside and be replaced by July 13th. He needs space to heal and focus on family. Enough.”
Senators Gallego and Heinrich, who endorsed him in March, withdrew support, labeling the claims “troubling and deeply serious” and “appalling,” respectively. Representative Ro Khanna, a previously vocal ally who joined rally appearances, deemed the report credible and revoked his endorsement, stating Platner should withdraw.
Concurrently, the Maine Democratic Party added its voice to those demanding his withdrawal.
The state party issued a statement: “In recent weeks, multiple women have raised serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner. Today’s developments deepen those concerns. Party leadership calls on him to withdraw as the Democratic Senate nominee.”
Beyond the assault claims, Platner’s candidacy has been dogged by additional controversies.
A chest tattoo reminiscent of a Nazi insignia drew criticism, while resurfaced online remarks appearing to blame sexual assault victims and reports of marital infidelity further eroded his standing.
Addressing the tattoo, Platner said he had covered the design—which resembled the “Totenkopf” emblem used by Nazi forces—obtained in 2007 with fellow Marines in Croatia during a drinking session.
Archived Reddit comments revealed Platner suggesting assault survivors should “take responsibility” and avoid excessive drinking. He later sought voter forgiveness after the posts surfaced.
In a campaign ad, he pleaded: “Maine, I ask you not to define me by the worst comment from my worst day 14 years ago, but by who I am today and the senator I pledge to be.”
Platner also admitted to exchanging explicit messages with women outside his marriage via a messaging app.
In an MS Now interview, Platner stated: “Early in our marriage I erred, Amy held me accountable, and we grew stronger. Today we are a faithful, happy couple.”
