A woman who previously dated Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner said he drunkenly forced her to have sex after she told him to stop, according to a Politico report released Monday, leading prominent supporters to pull their endorsements and throwing a must-win race for the party into turmoil.
Platner denied the allegation, but said he would be considering next steps for his campaign.
“Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we’re taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” he said in a video released on social media.
Jenny Racicot, who lives in Maine, told Politico that Platner entered her home in 2021 while drunk and assaulted her. Racicot said she had been in an on-and-off relationship with Platner, but she cut off contact with him after that night and told him the incident wasn’t consensual. A voicemail left at a number listed for Racicot seeking comment did not receive an immediate response.
Platner’s campaign did not immediately respond to an email and phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.
“Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false,” Platner said in his video.
Still, the allegation sparked a flight away from a candidate who has long been controversial. Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who’d stood by Platner even as the insurgent candidate was hit with prior allegations, said Monday’s was enough. “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna said. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”
Edit: holy shit, these comments are insane.
Regardless of what you believe with this, Platner likely cannot win anymore. He has a week to do the right thing and drop out before he’s fully locked in. If he actually gives any sort of a shit (and doesn’t just want power, like rapists seeking office tend to), he needs to drop out yesterday.
This is the nail in the coffin for his campaign. It’s not time to defend him no matter what, because there’s still a week where a new candidate can be put into place. Instead of being mad at people not wanting to vote for him, you should start vocally supporting another candidate.
Just the ones that go back 4 times for the thrill of killing, volunteer at torture prisons, and work for mercenary groups.
Rapists aren’t sex pests, they’re rapists.
There are no criminal charges against Platner because there is no evidence to support this story that mysteriously remained silent for 5 years.
Guess we’ll see!
So only veterans that touch and go with the military for 6 months or 1 tour are worthy of rehabilitation and your support?
Once again, this mentality will never lead to the populist revolution Lenin wrote about.
I’m not here to debate you about what is or isn’t a sex pest. Platner can fuck off in that regard.
Uhh, yes. If you don’t see the fucking evil way americas military treats innocent civilians on your first tour and then immediately regret it, and actively go back 3 more times, then volunteer for a torture camp, then become a mercenary… Fuck you.
Not a hard concept to understand, yeah?
Propaganda can take longer for some if they choose to ignore reality.
Not a lot of leftists are vegans in this regard. If they saw how gas chambers, pistols to the head, knives to the throat are used to kill animals and get them prepped for people’s chicken nuggets and jalapen poppers, you’d think they’d change and stop eating meat, but to them the speciesist propaganda that humans are better persists.
Did you write this in the wrong spot? The fuck does this have to do with anything?
He gave a straightforward comparison assuming you were capable of reading comprehension and abstract thought.
You know what we did to Germans that were propagandized enough to commit murder, rape and torture?
Hanged them.
Actually we sent most of them home after recruiting the most intelligent and capable and really only hanging token leaders. Most nazis faced no repercussions after the war.
That’s not what the socialists did lol.
My point was about propaganda prevailing over people’s eyes and ears. That is a fact that happens for many. Not everyone has the privilege to act on their moral instincts like you. That’s what I’m saying.
Veganism is an example from another context that underpins what I’m saying. Same can be said for veterans and new recruits. Hell, most Americans still see military people as heroes. Not saying I do, but that’s a fact.
Right, and he was there in person to see through the propaganda. He wanted to go back 3 more times. He volunteered to work at a torture dungeon. He became a mercenary. Your point about propaganda is completely irrelevant, this guy is a murderous Nazi rapist.
Sadly I don’t think eyes and ears defeat propaganda for all people. I’m happy you believe that. But it might not be a realistic perspective.
Murder. Torture. Rape. If propaganda makes you do these things, you’re beyond saving.
Charged, tried and convicted in the court of Lemmy.