{"id":2625725,"date":"2026-07-06T17:56:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T21:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sexual-assault-allegation-fractures-platners-faithful-online-following\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T17:56:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T21:56:58","slug":"sexual-assault-allegation-fractures-platners-faithful-online-following","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sexual-assault-allegation-fractures-platners-faithful-online-following\/","title":{"rendered":"Sexual assault allegation fractures Platner&#8217;s faithful online following"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsexual-assault-allegation-fractures-platners-faithful-online-following%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2625725&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-one-in-six-biden-voters-would-have-changed-their-vote-if-they-had-known-about-scandals-suppressed-by-media\/\" title=\"Poll: One In Six Biden Voters Would Have Changed Their Vote If They Had Known About Scandals Suppressed By Media\">sexual assault allegation<\/a> against Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has deeply divided his online supporters. Jenny Racicot accused him of forcing himself on her during a past relationship, which Platner denied. Some supporters continue to defend him, citing personal beliefs and his overall campaign policies, while others believe it may be time to consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/despite-polls-favoring-gov-newsom-california-gop-committed-to-recall\/\" title=\"Despite Polls Favoring Gov. Newsom, California GOP Committed to Recall\">alternative candidates<\/a>, such as Shenna Bellows or Troy Jackson. Discussions within <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >support groups reflect regret<\/a> over dismissing early warnings and a reevaluation of his viability. Platner has until July 13 to decide whether to withdraw from the race, amid ongoing controversy and scrutiny. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/grassley-plea-deal-ignores-significant-body-of-evidence-of-hunter-bidens-other-criminal-schemes\/\" title=\"Grassley: Plea Deal Disregards Hunter Biden&#039;s Other Crimes\">allegations raise concerns<\/a> about the potential impact on Maine\u2019s political landscape, including the possibility of incumbent Sen. Susan Collins maintaining her seat.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sexual assault allegation against <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\">Maine<\/a> Senate nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner<\/a>  fractured one of his most loyal online communities Monday, with some supporters standing by him while others apologized for dismissing earlier warnings and began discussing potential replacement candidates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jenny Racicot, 41, alleged she and Platner had an on-and-off relationship for more than two years until Platner drunkenly entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her. Platner denied the allegations in an X post on Monday.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637616\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-maine-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Platner to \u2018reflect\u2019 on campaign\u2019s \u2018best path forward\u2019 after being hit with sexual assault allegations<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637192\/platner-campaign-cancels-town-halls-rumors-swirl-controversies\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Platner campaign cancels three events as rumors swirl about more controversies<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4629502\/progressive-democrats-distance-obama-era-politics\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>The Democratic Party\u2019s progressive insurgents are turning on Obama<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Members of a Discord server dedicated to supporting Platner quickly split over the newest allegation, with some continuing to defend the nominee despite a string of controversies and others concluding his campaign may no longer be viable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI feel like I owe a lot of people that I called \u2018hysterical\u2019 for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-and-milley-inflated-afghan-army-numbers-pentagon-report-shows\/\" title=\"Biden And Milley Inflated Afghan Army Numbers, Pentagon Report Shows\">past couple months<\/a> an apology,\u201d one user, named Benny, wrote. \u201cTurns out they were right\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner has faced a flurry of scandals since launching his campaign, including revelations that he had Nazi tattoos and multiple allegations of concerning behavior in past relationships. Some supporters nevertheless argued the latest allegation should not end his candidacy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe is accusing him of assaulting her while drunk and I believe her. I also do not think this is politically disqualifying,\u201d said a user named Toast.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another echoed a similar sentiment. \u201cPeople\u2019s personal drama is just that, personal. \u2026 We have a rapist as a president,\u201d said heqt1c.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Others shot down that line of thinking, pointing to corroboration from Raicot\u2019s boyfriend and visits with a therapist, and said it might be time to move on from Platner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One user posted a link about requesting a refund to ActBlue donations, highlighting the severity of the allegations for even Planter\u2019s most loyal footsoldiers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the discussion unfolded, some users began floating possible alternatives should Platner withdraw from the race, mentioning Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson. Many expressed a preference for Jackson because of his progressive platform and endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t view this as a campaign to get one specific guy in office. I view it as a campaign to get a set of progressive policies in office. This isn\u2019t over,\u201d mused AllisonIsLivid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nominee has until July 13 to decide whether to drop out. He said in a video after the allegations that he would take time to \u201creflect\u201d on the \u201cpath forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637616\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-maine-senate\/\"><strong>PLATNER TO \u2018REFLECT\u2019 ON CAMPAIGN\u2019S \u2018BEST PATH FORWARD\u2019 AFTER BEING HIT WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several users grappled with the fact that Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) could be on a glidepath to reelection, given the gravity of the allegations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho\u2019s ready for 6 years of Collins on life support?\u201d wrote Tequila Sunset.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Allegation splits Maine Senate supporter community over Platner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4316,"featured_media":2625726,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26161064851582.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[5609,82304,63286,65502,34609],"class_list":["post-2625725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-allegations","tag-faith-community","tag-online-controversy","tag-platner","tag-sexual-assault"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26161064851582.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2625725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4316"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2625725"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2625725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2625729,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2625725\/revisions\/2625729"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2625726"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2625725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2625725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2625725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}