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.
Called this. Haha down voters.
It’s wild the literal bragging of killing people wasn’t the final straw. Or the SS symbol he walked around with that he IMMEDIATELY covered when it came to light. 18 fucking years with a Nazi tattoo after Blackwater.
Also seeing bunch of liberals denying this poor woman who is a victim, blueMAGA really would vote for a rapist like Trump if he was a democrat. It goes from “I believe women” to “well, not her she’s lying” REAL fucking fast for these so called “progressives”
When you only look at a person’s policies like they’re a checklist, you open yourself up to being manipulated.
Donald ‘anti-war’ Trump, Fetterman, Senima, etc. You need to judge people by their character or else you’re going to look like a dumbshit.
I just noticed I lashed out at you completely but you might be agreeing with me here so if that’s the case I apologize
I am agreeing with you and no worries, I do the same thing lol
You think Donald Trumps policy is actually anti war? Not his words his POLICY. Also he’s a pedophile like Bill Clinton, y’all forgot Bill groomed teenager that worked for him, and that’s what we do know. Am I not supposed to look at that “check list”?
I am judging Platner PURLEY on his character, and honestly this whole thing is making me judge other white American leftists in the same way. If you think Platners cool manly military dude thing is good character you fell for the American exceptionalist bullshit hook, line and sinker.
He’s literally a rapist murderer. That’s not a checklist buddy. Don’t you even dare to try to tell me you don’t believe the victim of him here. Rape apologists and “no proof” sexism & I will block you