Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is rethinking his bid to replace incumbent Susan Collins in light of a new sexual assault claim the embattled Democrat denies.
A 41-year-old Maine woman who dated the 41-year-old combat veteran told Politico she was forced to have sex with with Platner in 2021. Jenny Racicot alleges the couple’s on-and-off relationship took an ugly turn five years ago when the “deeply intoxicated” oyster farmer showed up at her Maine home and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice,’” she recalled.
Racicot told Politico she was motivated to tell her story after allegations of physical abuse against Platner made by another woman were met with skepticism.
Platner called Racicot’s accusations “troubling, serious and false” in a video posted to X on Monday. He also said his campaign understands the political damage such accusations can inflict.
“We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” according to Platner.
He thanked voters for their support thus far and vowed to help defeat Collins, who has been a U.S. Senator for nearly 30 years.
“Through it all you never turned your back on me and I will not turn my back on you now,” Platner said.
Platner married Amy Gertner in 2023. His campaign has been dogged by controversy including the revelation that he sent sexually explicit text messages to women after tying the knot. The former Marine has linked some of his prior indiscretions to alcohol abuse and PTSD.
Maine is expected to figure heavily into the Democratic party’s bid to take control of the Republican-led Senate in November. Polling shows Platner and Collins locked in a tight race. Should Platner leave the race, he must do so by July 13. The Democratic party would have until July 27 to name a new candidate.
With News Wire Services