Democratic and progressive figures on Monday turned on Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner, demanding he end his campaign after a new accusation of sexual assault surfaced. The swift backlash marks a dramatic reversal for Platner, who had drawn early support from some of the party's biggest names.
Representative Ro Khanna of California, who had previously defended Platner, took to X to announce he was pulling his endorsement. “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna wrote. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race.” His statement echoed across the party as other prominent Democrats followed suit.
Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona also rescinded his backing, calling the accusations “troubling and deeply serious” in a post on X. Florida Senate candidate Alex Vindman, a Democrat, framed his decision in personal terms. “As a father and husband, I have zero tolerance for physical or sexual misconduct,” Vindman wrote. “I’ve always called balls and strikes regardless of party, and in this case, I believe Graham Platner should immediately drop out. These allegations are extremely serious, disturbing, and disqualifying.”
The latest charge comes from Maine resident Jenny Racicot, who told Politico on Monday that Platner forced her to have sex with him while he was intoxicated in 2021. The report landed as Platner was already under scrutiny over his personal conduct, following a New York Times article in June that detailed his interactions with women he had dated.
Left-wing Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who commands a large online following, said he believed the allegations after reading the story live on his stream. “The messages of him being a dog or whatever, like him f***ing around and talking to other women, all of that stuff shows that someone is of not of the highest moral character,” Piker said, referencing the Times piece. “But this is something beyond that.” He described the development as “curtains” for the oyster farmer turned candidate.
Platner has forcefully denied the accusation. In a video shared on social media, he said he is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to, and the goal of defeating Susan Collins.” The incumbent Republican senator is widely seen as vulnerable in 2026, and Platner had positioned himself as a progressive challenger capable of uniting the left.
The rapid collapse of support underscores how quickly sexual misconduct allegations can upend a campaign, even in a party that has sought to position itself as a champion of women’s safety. The episode also raises questions about how Democratic leaders will navigate the fallout, especially as the party looks to capitalize on internal GOP divisions—a dynamic explored in a recent analysis of how Trump's feud with Senate Republicans might hand Democrats a strategic opening.
For Platner, the path forward is narrowing. With key endorsements withdrawn and progressive allies calling for his exit, the pressure to step aside is mounting. Whether he can weather the storm or will ultimately drop out remains uncertain, but the political damage is already significant.
