Graham Platner suspends Senate campaign after sexual assault allegations
Graham Platner, a populist Democrat running for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat, has temporarily suspended his campaign following sexual assault allegations from a former partner. The allegations, along with previous controversies such as a tattoo resembling Nazi imagery, controversial social media posts, and past relationship behavior, have tarnished his campaign. After the allegations became public, notable Democrats, including Ruben gallego and Ro Khanna, withdrew their endorsements. Platner announced he would take time to reflect and ultimately decided to drop out entirely before the July 13 deadline. With his exit, Democrats now have until July 27 to select a replacement candidate to challenge Republican Susan Collins in the upcoming election, with options like Governor Janet Mills or Troy Jackson being considered.
Populist Democrat Graham Platner has suspended his campaign to be Maine’s next U.S. senator after a report published Monday in which a woman accused him of sexual assault.
The sexual assault allegation against Platner is the latest controversy to come the oyster farmer-turned political candidate’s way. Between having to answer for a now-covered-up tattoo resembling Nazi imagery he had on his chest, a series of controversial social media posts, and having to respond to allegations that he displayed disturbing behavior in past relationships, the sexual assault allegation came as the final shoe to drop.
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After Platner’s former romantic partner came forward and shared her sexual assault experience in a bombshell Politico report on Monday, many big-name Democrats, including Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), began pulling their endorsements from Platner’s political campaign. Platner said Monday that he was going to take some time to “reflect” on his campaign’s “best path forward,” but then announced that he would be dropping out of the campaign entirely.
“We’re suspending campaign operations,” Platner said in a video announcing he was suspending his campaign Wednesday evening.
Platner, who denied his former romantic partner’s claims of sexual assault, had until July 13 as his deadline to drop out of the Senate race. Before the report dropped, Platner canceled three campaign events scheduled for this week.
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With Platner now off the ballot, Democrats have until 5 p.m. on Monday, July 27, to replace his name on the ballot in the general election to challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
Democrats could mull options such as Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), who previously dropped her primary bid against Platner, or former gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson.
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