Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has temporarily suspended his campaign after a new accusation of sexual assault emerged, raising questions about his political future as a key deadline approaches.
The accuser, Jenny Racicot, told Politico that Platner, her ex-boyfriend, barged into her home in late 2021 while he was blackout drunk, despite her explicitly texting him not to enter. She alleges he then forced himself on her over her protests. The next morning, she ordered him to leave and cut off all contact.
Racicot provided Politico with corroborating evidence, including messages to her therapist and others in which she referenced the attack. She is a progressive who says she supports Platner’s policy platform but insists he sexually assaulted her.
Platner denies committing sexual assault but has stepped away from the campaign trail. This is the second such allegation against him. Earlier, The New York Times reported that Lyndsey Fifield, a Republican activist and former girlfriend, accused Platner of grabbing her forcefully and trapping her in a bedroom during an argument years ago. Some observers cast doubt on Fifield’s story due to her party affiliation.
Racicot had previously spoken to the Times but not on the record. She told Politico she was dissatisfied with how the Times handled her accusation and was troubled that Fifield’s claims did not drive Platner from the race. Now she is speaking publicly.
Democrats are grappling with how to handle Platner’s candidacy as the July 13 deadline to drop out and be replaced by the party approaches at 5 PM. That is less than a week away.
Robby Soave, co-host of The Hill’s “Rising” and a senior editor at Reason Magazine, provided this analysis.
