Democrats Withdraw Support for Platner Amid Allegations

WHO:

The Washington Post - Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, is an oyster farmer.

NBC News - A growing number of Democrats are rescinding their endorsements of Graham Platner.

IJR - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling on Graham Platner to drop out of the race.

Fast Company - Jenny Racicot, a woman who previously dated Graham Platner, made allegations against him.

AP - Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer are Democratic leaders calling for Platner to withdraw.

AP - Rep. Ro Khanna, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren also withdrew their endorsements.

WHAT:

NBC News - Graham Platner is expected to announce his decision regarding the Senate race through a recorded video, which could come later.

CNN - Morris Katz, a top campaign strategist for Platner, is set to meet with him in Maine to discuss his future in the race on Wednesday.

Fast Company - Platner stated, “Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we’re taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” in a video released on social media.

Fast Company - Jenny Racicot stated in a CNN interview that she opted not to fight back for fear of Platner, a former Marine, becoming more violent.

AP - The main campaign arm of Senate Democrats stated it would not spend money on the race if Platner remains the nominee.

AP - State law allows Platner to be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, and a replacement must be named by July 27.

AP - The Democratic National Committee sent out an email soliciting money for Senate races hours after the Politico report posted, but Maine was not one of them.

AP - Democratic leaders called for Platner to withdraw to allow for a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins.

NBC News - Graham Platner is expected to announce his decision regarding the Senate race through a recorded video, which could come later.

CNN - Morris Katz, a top campaign strategist for Platner, is set to meet with him in Maine to discuss his future in the race on Wednesday.

Fast Company - Jenny Racicot stated in a CNN interview that she opted not to fight back for fear of Platner, a former Marine, becoming more violent.

AP - The Democratic National Committee sent out an email soliciting money for Senate races hours after the Politico report posted, but Maine was not one of them.

AP - The main campaign arm of Senate Democrats stated it would not spend money on the race if Platner remains the nominee.

AP - State law allows Platner to be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, and a replacement must be named by July 27.

CNN - Platner is expected to announce his decision regarding the Senate race through a recorded video, which could come later.

NBC News - If Platner agrees to step aside by July 13, Democrats will have fewer than three weeks to replace him as their Senate nominee.

Fast Company - Platner stated, “Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false,” in a video released on social media.

CNN - Graham Platner is expected to announce his decision regarding the Senate race through a recorded video, which could come later today.

CNN - Morris Katz, a top campaign strategist for Platner, is set to meet with him in Maine to discuss his future in the race.

CNN - A person close to Platner's campaign stated, “This could – and should – end today,” indicating the urgency of his decision.

CNN - The Maine Democratic Party has stated that the Platner campaign should “have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the US Senate.”

NBC News - Platner's campaign is facing uncertainty as he considers next steps following the sexual assault allegation.

Fast Company - Platner's campaign has canceled a handful of town hall events due to the allegations.

IJR - The Democratic National Committee is not including Maine in its fundraising efforts after the allegations surfaced.

Fast Company - Platner's campaign has canceled a handful of town hall events following the allegations.

AP - The main campaign arm of Senate Democrats stated it would not spend money on the race if Platner remains the nominee.

AP - The Democratic National Committee did not include Maine in its fundraising efforts after the allegations surfaced.

AP - Democratic leaders called for Platner to withdraw to allow for a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins.

Fast Company - Jenny Racicot stated in a CNN interview that she opted not to fight back for fear of Platner, a former Marine, becoming more violent.

Fast Company - Racicot said, “He violated multiple layers of consent that night.”

AP - The Democratic National Committee sent out an email soliciting money for Senate races hours after the Politico report posted, but Maine was not one of them.

AP - Democratic leaders called for Platner to withdraw to allow for a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins.

NY Post - Graham Platner is accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home and allegedly raping her almost five years ago.

Fast Company - Jenny Racicot stated that Platner entered her home in 2021 while drunk and assaulted her, claiming he violated multiple layers of consent that night.

Fast Company - Platner's campaign has canceled a handful of town hall events following the allegations.

CBS News - Bernie Sanders confirmed he spoke with Platner and recommended that he exit the Senate race.

NBC News - Graham Platner is facing a sexual assault allegation from a woman he previously dated.

Fast Company - Platner denied the allegation but stated he would consider next steps for his campaign.

AP - Platner won the Democratic nomination last month to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

AP - The main campaign arm of Senate Democrats stated it would not spend money on the race if Platner remains the nominee.

AP - State law allows Platner to be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, and a replacement must be named by July 27.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The allegations against Platner occurred in Maine.

AP - The Democratic National Committee did not include Maine in its fundraising efforts after the allegations surfaced.

WHEN:

CNN - The Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to name a replacement candidate if Platner steps aside by the July 13 deadline.

AP - If Platner withdraws, he can be replaced on the ballot by July 13, and a replacement must be named by July 27.

AP - State law allows Platner to be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, and a replacement must be named by July 27.

AP - Platner can be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13.

AP - A replacement candidate must be named by July 27.

WHY:

Fast Company - Rep. Ro Khanna stated, “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”

Fast Company - The Democratic leaders of Maine's legislature and top officials at the state Democratic Party also withdrew their endorsements and called for Platner to drop out.

Fast Company - The allegations have led to a significant withdrawal of support from prominent Democrats, creating turmoil in the race for the Senate seat.

Fast Company - Rep. Ro Khanna stated, “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”

Fast Company - The Democratic leaders of Maine's legislature and top officials at the state Democratic Party also withdrew their endorsements and called for Platner to drop out.

Fast Company - Rep. Ro Khanna stated, “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”

Fast Company - Democratic leaders called for Platner to withdraw to allow for a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins.

Fast Company - Rep. Ro Khanna stated, “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”

Fast Company - Rep. Ro Khanna stated, “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” regarding his withdrawal of support for Platner.

Fast Company - The allegations have led to a significant withdrawal of support from prominent Democrats, creating turmoil in the race for the Senate seat.

Fast Company - Rep. Ro Khanna stated, “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” regarding his withdrawal of support for Platner.

Fast Company - The Democratic leaders of Maine's legislature and top officials at the state Democratic Party also withdrew their endorsements and called for Platner to drop out.

Fast Company - The allegations have led to a significant withdrawal of support from prominent Democrats, creating turmoil in the race for the Senate seat.

Fast Company - The allegations against Platner have led to prominent supporters pulling their endorsements, creating turmoil in the race.

AP - Democratic leaders are concerned about the impact of the allegations on the party's chances in the Senate race.

HOW:

CNN - A person close to Platner's campaign stated, “This could – and should – end today,” indicating the urgency of his decision.

CNN - Morris Katz, a top campaign strategist for Platner, is set to meet with him in Maine to discuss his future in the race.

CNN - A person close to Platner's campaign stated, “This could – and should – end today,” indicating the urgency of his decision.

CNN - Morris Katz, a top campaign strategist for Platner, is set to meet with him in Maine to discuss his future in the race on Wednesday.

Fast Company - Hasan Piker, a leftist commentator, stated during a livestream, “This is a clear-cut instance of verifiable sexual assault allegations. It’s completely irredeemable.”

Fast Company - Platner stated he is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward” in response to the allegations.

AP - The Democratic leaders called for Platner to withdraw to allow for a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 18:21 UTC)

Graham Platner is expected to announce his decision regarding the Senate race through a recorded video, which could come later, while his campaign strategist, Morris Katz, is scheduled to meet with him in Maine to discuss his future in the race on Wednesday. Amid serious allegations, prominent Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna, have withdrawn their endorsements and are calling for Platner to step down, creating significant turmoil in the race for the Senate seat. State law allows Platner to be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, with a replacement needing to be named by July 27.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 17:24 UTC)

Graham Platner is expected to announce his decision regarding the Senate race through a recorded video, which could come later, as he faces increasing pressure to withdraw from the race following serious allegations. His campaign strategist, Morris Katz, is set to meet with him in Maine on Wednesday to discuss his future, while Democratic leaders in Maine have also withdrawn their endorsements and called for him to step down. State law allows Platner to be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, with a replacement needing to be named by July 27.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 16:27 UTC)

Graham Platner is expected to announce his decision regarding the Senate race through a recorded video, which could come later. If he agrees to step aside by July 13, Democrats will have fewer than three weeks to find a replacement for him as their Senate nominee, as several party leaders have called for his withdrawal to support a candidate who can defeat Susan Collins. In response to serious allegations against him, Platner has stated that “any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false,” while his campaign strategist is scheduled to meet with him in Maine to discuss his future in the race.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 15:40 UTC)

Graham Platner is expected to announce his decision regarding the Senate race through a recorded video, which could come later today. A top campaign strategist for Platner, Morris Katz, is set to meet with him in Maine to discuss his future in the race, as a source close to the campaign indicated that “this could – and should – end today.” The Maine Democratic Party has stated that they should “have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the US Senate,” and they have until July 27 to name a replacement candidate if Platner steps aside by the July 13 deadline.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 12:20 UTC)

Graham Platner's campaign is currently facing significant uncertainty as he weighs his next steps following serious sexual assault allegations, leading to the cancellation of several town hall events. The Democratic National Committee has also decided not to include Maine in its fundraising efforts amid the controversy, while Rep. Ro Khanna has publicly called for Platner to withdraw from the race, stating that the allegations are credible and serious. If Platner does choose to step down, he must be replaced on the ballot by July 13, with a new candidate needing to be named by July 27.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 05:51 UTC)

Platner's campaign has canceled several town hall events following serious allegations, prompting Democratic leaders to call for him to withdraw from the race to make way for a candidate who can effectively challenge Susan Collins. The main campaign arm of Senate Democrats has indicated it will not provide financial support if Platner remains the nominee, and the Democratic National Committee has excluded Maine from its fundraising efforts since the allegations emerged. Under state law, Platner has until July 13 to withdraw from the ballot, and if he does, a replacement candidate must be named by July 27.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 02:49 UTC)

In a recent CNN interview, Jenny Racicot revealed that she chose not to fight back against Platner, a former Marine, out of fear he would become more violent, stating, “He violated multiple layers of consent that night.” Following these serious allegations, Democratic leaders, including Rep. Ro Khanna, have called for Platner to withdraw from the race to make way for a new candidate who can effectively challenge Susan Collins, with Maine's Democratic officials also retracting their endorsements. Leftist commentator Hasan Piker emphasized the gravity of the situation during a livestream, declaring it a “clear-cut instance of verifiable sexual assault allegations” that he deemed “completely irredeemable.”

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 23:21 UTC)

Graham Platner is facing serious accusations of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home and allegedly raping her nearly five years ago, with Jenny Racicot claiming he assaulted her while drunk in 2021 and violated multiple layers of consent. In light of these allegations, Platner's campaign has canceled several town hall events, and Bernie Sanders has publicly advised him to exit the Senate race. In a social media video, Platner acknowledged the situation, stating, “Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we’re taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.”

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 19:33 UTC)

Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate from Maine and an oyster farmer, is facing serious allegations of sexual assault from a woman he previously dated. In light of these accusations, a growing number of prominent Democrats, including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, are rescinding their endorsements and calling for him to withdraw from the race. Platner, who won the Democratic nomination last month to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins, has denied the allegations but is considering his next steps. If he chooses to withdraw, state law allows him to be replaced on the ballot by July 13, with a new candidate needing to be named by July 27. The Democratic National Committee has also decided not to include Maine in its fundraising efforts following the emergence of these allegations, raising concerns about the party's chances in the upcoming election.