Democrats Urge Graham Platner to Exit Senate Race Amid Allegations

WHO:

CNN - Graham Platner, Democratic nominee for Maine's Senate race.

CNN - Jenny Racicot, former girlfriend of Graham Platner, who made the rape allegation.

CNN - Susan Collins, Republican opponent and incumbent Senator from Maine.

Fox News - Zohran Mamdani, a progressive strategist and mayor, calling for Platner to drop out.

WHAT:

CNN - Graham Platner is facing a rape allegation from Jenny Racicot, who claims he assaulted her five years ago.

CNN - Platner is reportedly considering stepping down from the Senate race and is in discussions with the Maine Democratic Party about a potential replacement.

CNN - The deadline for the Maine Democratic Party to replace Platner on the ballot is July 13.

CNN - A New York Times-Portland Press Herald-Siena poll indicated that 50% of likely Maine voters had an unfavorable view of Platner, while 45% viewed him favorably.

CNN - A Fox News poll showed registered voters disliked Platner 53%-43% and indicated he was trailing Collins 50%-47%.

WHERE:

CNN - Maine, specifically in the context of the Senate race.

WHEN:

CNN - The deadline for the Maine Democratic Party to replace Platner on the ballot is July 13.

WHY:

CNN - Democrats are urging Platner to withdraw from the race due to the rape allegation, which could jeopardize their chances of winning the Senate seat.

HOW:

CNN - Platner is reportedly reflecting on his candidacy and discussing potential replacements with the Maine Democratic Party.

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 17:42 UTC)

Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for Maine's Senate race, is facing serious allegations from his former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, who claims he assaulted her five years ago. As pressure mounts from Democrats urging him to withdraw, Platner is reportedly considering stepping down and is in talks with the Maine Democratic Party about a potential replacement, with the deadline for any changes on the ballot set for July 13. Polls indicate that Platner's favorability is waning, with a recent survey showing him trailing incumbent Senator Susan Collins by a narrow margin of 50% to 47%.