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.
There are a lot of people in here who do not seem to know a story of someone that was sexually assaulted. I would hope to those of you that think this is bullshit to ask a woman in your life if they know someone that has been assaulted, and what they did. Because 99% of women will know someone or be someone like the woman this is referring to.
Her story is pretty believable and the actions taken are similar to many other people who have been assaulted: Cut ties and warn others. And that is exactly what she did. She knew Platner before this occurred and were even having a sexual relationship (this was from a series of interviews with Graham's past relationships.) I think the most damning part of this is that she doesn't appear to have a political agenda. She seems to agree with his messages.
As much as the average person immediately goes to the defense of the person they like more, this seems very credible. it is entirely likely that Planter may not have even been conscious of his actions, having been far too drunk. That isn't really an excuse, though, and I do think his campaign should be finding a replacement ASAP. They can still run a progressive candidate, but holy fuck, they need to move fast.
Sexual assault should be treated as the disqualifying event that it is. I understand questioning the sincerity of the victim, but there are too many things that make me believe her, and if it is true, that should absolutely disqualify him from office.