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Accused of sexual harassment/Democratic Senate candidate asked to withdraw from race

2026-07-07 09:43:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Accused of sexual harassment/Democratic Senate candidate asked to withdraw from

The Maine Senate race is engulfed in a deep political crisis. Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate seeking to challenge Republican Susan Collins, is facing growing calls to drop out of the race after a woman identified as Jenny Racicot, 41, publicly accused him of sexual harassment.

Racicot, who had a previous relationship with Platner, told Politico that the candidate entered her apartment uninvited and assaulted her while intoxicated. She said she decided to speak out publicly to avoid further misinterpretation, after it was previously mentioned in a New York Times article detailing Platner's problematic behavior toward other women.

The party's response has been immediate and categorical. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called the allegations "deeply disturbing," stating that the violence and abuse are "absolutely unacceptable."

The Democratic Campaign Committee for Senate has also made it clear that it will no longer invest funds in the Maine race as long as Platner remains on the ballot.

A growing list of prominent figures, including Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego, as well as Congressman Ro Khanna, have called for his withdrawal and canceled their support for his campaign.

Platner, a former Marine and farmer, has categorically denied the allegations but said he is considering the best way forward. His campaign has long been plagued by controversy, including the revelation of a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, old online comments exonerating rapists, and infidelity scandals.

The deadline is critical as Plattner must withdraw from the race by July 13 for his name to be removed from the ballot and replaced by another Democratic candidate. If he refuses to step down, the Democratic Party risks losing a key opportunity to challenge Republican control of the Senate./ CNA





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