A girl who beforehand dated Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner stated he drunkenly compelled her to have intercourse after she informed him to cease, in line with a Politico report, main distinguished supporters to tug their endorsements and throwing a must-win race for the celebration into turmoil.
Platner denied the allegation on Monday, however stated he could be contemplating subsequent steps for his marketing campaign.
“Whatever the inaccuracy of the reporting however conscious of the political actuality it can inflict, we’re taking the time to mirror on one of the best path ahead,” he stated in a video launched on social media.
Jenny Racicot, who lives in Maine, informed Politico that Platner entered her dwelling in 2021 whereas drunk and assaulted her. Racicot stated she had been in an on-and-off relationship with Platner, however she reduce off contact with him after that night time and informed him the incident wasn’t consensual. A voicemail left at a quantity listed for Racicot looking for remark didn’t obtain an instantaneous response, however she stated in a CNN interview on Monday night that she opted to not combat again for concern of Platner, a former Marine, turning into extra violent.
“He violated a number of layers of consent that night time,” Racicot stated.
Platner’s marketing campaign didn’t instantly reply to an e mail and telephone message from The Related Press looking for remark.
“Any accusation of non-consensual habits is categorically false,” Platner stated in his video.
Uproar within the Democratic Occasion
Platner gained the Democratic nomination final month, setting himself as much as face Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who has crushed again earlier makes an attempt to dislodge her from the seat that she’s held for practically three many years.
Though Platner has lengthy been controversial, the sexual allegation sparked a flight away from the candidate, who canceled a handful of city corridor occasions. The primary marketing campaign arm of Senate Democrats referred to as on Platner to drop out and stated it might spend no cash on the race, which is taken into account important to regulate of the chamber, if he’s the nominee.
“Graham Platner wants to instantly withdraw because the Democratic nominee for Senate and permit Maine Democrats the chance to decide on a brand new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins,” Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Marketing campaign Committee, and Chuck Schumer, the highest Senate Democrat, stated in a joint assertion.
The Democratic Nationwide Committee despatched out an e mail soliciting cash for Senate races hours after the Politico report posted, however Maine was not considered one of them. Ken Martin, the celebration chair, stated, “Maine Democrats ought to choose a brand new nominee.”
Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who stood by Platner even because the candidate confronted earlier controversies, stated Monday’s allegation was sufficient. “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence in opposition to girls is a crimson line,” Khanna stated. “These allegations are very severe and credible. Graham Platner ought to drop out from the race. I’m withdrawing my endorsement.”
Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduced they have been pulling their endorsements and referred to as on Platner to drop out. The Democratic leaders of Maine’s legislature and high officers on the state Democratic Occasion did the identical.
“This Senate race comes at a pivotal second within the wrestle in opposition to a authorities, supported by Senator Collins, that serves the pursuits of the rich and highly effective on the expense of extraordinary Maine folks. It’s important that we refocus this marketing campaign on that wrestle,” celebration chair Charlie Dingman, vice chair Imke Schessler and govt director Devon Murphy-Anderson stated in a joint assertion.
Collins issued solely a short assertion.
“These allegations are appalling,” she stated. “Nonetheless, it isn’t as much as me to decide on the Democratic nominee for Senate.”
State law permits Platner to get replaced on the poll if he withdraws by July 13. The alternative candidate have to be named by July 27.
The Related Press typically doesn’t title victims of sexual assault, however on this case Racicot spoke in an interview with Politico.
A succession of marketing campaign controversies
Platner had by no means earlier than held elected workplace, and Democratic leaders in Washington most popular Gov. Janet Mills within the major. Nevertheless, Mills, 78, dropped out as Platner, 41, consolidated assist with assist from progressive leaders at a time when Democratic voters have grown disenchanted with the celebration institution.
Whereas some Democrats came around to support him after his commanding major win, Platner’s controversial historical past had already left others brazenly despairing of their probabilities of profitable the race. A veteran who additionally labored for a personal safety contractor, Platner has a chest tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol, reportedly sexted with other women shortly after getting married and had a historical past of inflammatory feedback on social media.
In 2013, Platner posted on Reddit that folks shouldn’t get so drunk “they wind up having intercourse with somebody they don’t imply to” and that sexual assault victims ought to “simply take some duty for themselves.” He’s since apologized for the put up and says he now not holds these beliefs.
The New York Instances additionally reported that Platner had risky relationships with earlier girlfriends, considered one of whom stated an argument became physical. Platner denied the allegation.
Hasan Piker, a leftist commentator and streamer who backed Platner, appeared to reverse himself Monday following the Politico report.
“If new proof presents itself, I’m going to vary my perspective — it’s that straightforward,” Piker stated throughout a livestream on Twitch, including: “It is a clear-cut occasion of verifiable sexual assault allegations. It’s utterly irredeemable.”
Our Revolution, a progressive group based by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, stated Platner ought to withdraw as a result of the allegations “are too severe to deal with as a distraction from the marketing campaign or the problems.”
It additionally hinted on the potential battle over who would exchange Platner.
“Whoever leads this motion ahead have to be somebody who has really lived the combat Graham Platner ran on: a document with working folks, with unions, in opposition to company cash, already examined and trusted by the identical base that delivered this outcome,” stated a press release from Joseph Geevarghese, govt director of Our Revolution.
Platner had pitched himself as a blue-collar oysterman and veteran who may attain disaffected voters. However as controversies mounted, some state Democrats had heartburn, embodied by Mills’ refusal to endorse Platner after she dropped out of the first. Chatter circulated about doable replacements, together with former state senator and logger Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
“I’ve recognized this has been coming,” stated Marie Follayttar, a Democrat and group organizer in Maine, speaking in regards to the rising whispers contained in the state’s small inhabitants that had been bracing for one more revelation surrounding Platner. “I’ve been scared and I’ve been sick ready.”
Mike Connelly, a enterprise proprietor and Democrat in Brunswick, Maine, stated in an interview that he needs Platner to drop out after the newest allegations. However Connelly stated he’d vote for him if he stays in.
“I’d vote for a comatose Democrat earlier than I’d vote for Susan Collins,” Connelly stated.
—Kimberlee Kruesi and Nicholas Riccardi, Related Press
Jesse Bedayn, Meg Kinnard, and Ali Swenson contributed to this report.
