Platner reevaluating Senate bid after campaign shaken by new sexual assault allegation

Democrat Graham Platner said Monday he is weighing the “best path forward” for his reeling U.S. Senate campaign in Maine after a woman who dated him said he forced her to have sex with him against her repeated objections.

Jenny Racicot, a 41‑year‑old Maine resident, detailed the alleged incident to Politico and provided emails with her therapist as well as messages with an acquaintance who warned her years ago against getting involved with Mr. Platner.

Mr. Platner denied the allegations but did say he is considering “the best path forward” for his campaign.

“I wanted to directly address your troubling, serious, and false allegations against me,” Mr. Platner said in a social media video. “Any accusation of non‑consensual behavior is categorically false.”

“This movement we have built — the largest volunteer base in the history of Maine politics, the hundreds of thousands of grassroots donors and supporters across the ideological spectrum — was united in a love of Maine, the belief that our politics must change, and a focus on defeating [Republican Sen.] Susan Collins,” he said. “So, regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to, and the goal of defeating Susan Collins.”

The report came after Mr. Platner abruptly canceled a series of scheduled campaign events, sparking speculation that the embattled Democrat was bracing for another damaging story about his past or might even suspend his campaign. The Platner campaign did not respond to a request for comment from The Washington Times.

The Bangor Daily News reported Mr. Platner postponed a planned town hall in Augusta on Sunday after missing a Fourth of July parade in Machias. He also pulled out of another scheduled town hall in southern Maine, after informing local Democrats he was “not feeling well.”

Mr. Platner has been one of the surprises of the 2026 midterm election cycle.

The political newcomer crashed onto the political scene, holding up his history as a former Marine and oyster farmer to cast himself as being in tune with the challenges facing the working class.

Sens. Bernard Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts endorsed him, helping burnish his liberal credentials.

Republicans, meanwhile, have celebrated his rise, believing his past would weaken his hand against Ms. Collins.

Republicans insist the working-class image he presents on the campaign trail is bogus.

Mr. Platner cruised to victory in the June Democratic primary after scaring Gov. Janet Mills out of the race.

Still, there have been lingering concerns about his past — and fears that more stories would emerge. Some reports have openly wondered whether he will make it to the general election or whether his personal baggage will eventually force Democrats to try to push him out of the race and replace him with another candidate.

He has been dogged by past inflammatory social media posts, a tattoo he later covered up that is widely recognized as a Nazi symbol, and sexually explicit texts he sent to women after getting married.