A fresh poll released Monday indicates that a decisive majority of Maine voters want Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race if another scandal arises. The survey, conducted by Wedgewood Polls, found that 75 percent of respondents said Platner should exit the contest following a new controversy, while only 20 percent thought he should stay in. Five percent were undecided.
The poll was rushed out, according to Wedgewood, after Politico reported that a former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, accused Platner of sexual assault in 2021. The outlet verified her claims through emails exchanged with her therapist and other documents. Platner has denied the allegations, calling the report inaccurate, but said he would “take time to reflect on the best path forward.”
Wedgewood’s findings show that Platner’s support among his own political base is fragile. Among voters who backed Kamala Harris in 2024, 65 percent said he should drop out, with only 28 percent urging him to stay. Among those who supported neither Harris nor Donald Trump, 78 percent wanted him out, and just 13 percent said he should continue.
“Among a candidate’s own base, that is a strikingly shallow well of support to absorb a further hit,” Wedgewood’s report noted, “and it suggests real fragility beneath Platner’s topline standing against” Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine).
The poll also found that majorities across gender and age groups favor Platner’s exit. Seventy-six percent of men and 74 percent of women said he should step aside, and roughly three-quarters of all age demographics agreed.
In hypothetical matchups, voters preferred a contest between Maine gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson (D) and Collins, 48 to 43, over Platner versus Collins, 46 to 50. A potential race between Governor Janet Mills (D)—who dropped out against Platner—and Collins was tied at 47-47.
Racicot told CNN’s Jake Tapper that her decision to come forward was not politically motivated but an effort to “get my life back.” She said she strongly agrees with Platner’s politics and believes Maine needs “somebody with those political stances,” but acknowledged her allegations could derail his campaign. “I felt like me coming forward would essentially potentially take that away,” she said.
Democrats and allied groups have already withdrawn endorsements and called for Platner to exit the race. Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker said he believes Racicot’s allegations and called the situation “curtains” for Platner, citing the documented evidence. “It’s irredeemable,” Piker said.
The Wedgewood survey was conducted July 4-6 among 405 Maine voters, with a margin of error of 5.8 percentage points. The results underscore the steep challenge Platner faces as he weighs whether to continue his bid against Collins.
