{"id":2626978,"date":"2026-07-08T20:28:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/graham-platner-suspends-senate-campaign-after-sexual-assault-allegations\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T20:29:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:29:02","slug":"graham-platner-suspends-senate-campaign-after-sexual-assault-allegations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/graham-platner-suspends-senate-campaign-after-sexual-assault-allegations\/","title":{"rendered":"Graham Platner suspends Senate campaign after sexual assault allegations"},"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\">18<\/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%2Fgraham-platner-suspends-senate-campaign-after-sexual-assault-allegations%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=2626978&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>Graham Platner, a populist Democrat running for Maine\u2019s U.S. Senate seat, has temporarily suspended his campaign following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-aide-who-threatened-to-destroy-female-reporter-is-protege-of-notorious-sex-pests-halperin-lauer\/\" title=\"Biden Aide Who Threatened to \u2018Destroy\u2019 Female Reporter is Protege of Notorious Sex Pests Halperin, Lauer\">sexual assault allegations<\/a> from a former partner. The allegations, along with previous controversies such as a tattoo resembling Nazi imagery, controversial social media posts, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/at-rally-platner-shrugs-off-politically-motivated-and-false-accusations\/\" title=\"At rally, ... shrugs off \u2018politically motivated\u2019 and \u2018false&#039; accusations\">past relationship behavior<\/a>, 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newsom-recall-petition-close-to-success\/\" title=\"Newsom Recall Petition Close To Success\">replacement candidate<\/a> to challenge Republican Susan Collins in the upcoming election, with options like Governor Janet Mills or Troy Jackson being considered.  <\/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\">Populist Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22643\">Graham Platner <\/a>has suspended his campaign to be <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"193\">Maine\u2019s<\/a> next U.S. senator after a report published Monday in which a woman accused him of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sexual-assault\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"143\">sexual assault<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <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 Platner is the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4597477\/four-scandal-maine-senate-candidate-graham-platner\/\">latest controversy <\/a>to come the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >oyster farmer-turned political candidate\u2019<\/a>s way. Between having to answer for a now-covered-up tattoo <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4581699\/dem-jake-auchincloss-refuses-endorse-platner-disqualifying-tattoo\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4581699\">resembling Nazi imagery<\/a> he had on his chest, a series of controversial social media posts, and having to respond to allegations that he displayed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4596470\/platner-accuser-lyndsey-fifield-new-york-times-journalists-twisted-story-help-campaign\/\">disturbing behavior<\/a> in past relationships, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637616\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-maine-senate\/\">sexual assault allegation<\/a> came as the final shoe to drop.<\/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\/4641563\/democrats-kamala-harris-platner-maine\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats shy away from a Kamala Harris-style \u2018coronation\u2019 in Maine<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4641497\/maine-valli-geiger-graham-platner-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Maine lawmaker says Platner urged her to run for Senate if he stepped down<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4641359\/who-could-run-replace-graham-platner-shenna-bellows-troy-jackson-nirav-shah\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Who could run to replace Graham Platner?<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After Platner\u2019s former romantic partner came forward and shared her sexual assault experience in a bombshell <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/07\/06\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-allegation-00987737\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/07\/06\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-allegation-00987737\"><em>Politico<\/em> report<\/a> on Monday, many big-name Democrats, including Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ruben-gallego\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"10230\">Ruben Gallego<\/a> (D-AZ) and Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ro-khanna\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"5039\">Ro Khanna<\/a> (D-CA), began <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637999\/khanna-gallego-pull-platner-endorsements\/\">pulling their endorsements<\/a> from Platner\u2019s political campaign. Platner said Monday that he was going to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637616\/graham-platner-sexual-assault-maine-senate\/\">take some time to \u201creflect\u201d<\/a> on his campaign\u2019s \u201cbest path forward,\u201d but then announced<strong> <\/strong>that he would be dropping out of the campaign entirely.<\/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\">\u201cWe\u2019re suspending campaign operations,\u201d Platner said in a video announcing he was suspending his campaign Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner, who denied his former romantic partner\u2019s claims of sexual assault, had until July 13 as his deadline to drop out of the Senate race. Before the report dropped, Platner canceled <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4637192\/platner-campaign-cancels-town-halls-rumors-swirl-controversies\/\">three campaign events<\/a> scheduled for this week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4638202\/fetterman-sanders-graham-platner-endorsement\/\">FETTERMAN TELLS SANDERS TO APOLOGIZE FOR ENDORSING \u2018PREDATOR\u2019 GRAHAM PLATNER<\/a><\/strong><\/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\">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. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1302\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats could mull options such as Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), who previously dropped her primary bid against Platner, or former gubernatorial candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ProgressiveVic\/status\/2074320341929726172?s=20\">Troy Jackson<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate bid after assault report<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2626979,"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],"tags":[65649,33117,52240,77556,53182],"class_list":["post-2626978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-graham-platner","tag-political-scandal","tag-senate-campaign","tag-sexual-assault-allegations","tag-suspension-2"],"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\/2626978","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\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2626978"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2626982,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626978\/revisions\/2626982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2626979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2626978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2626978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2626978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}