Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, announced Wednesday evening that he is suspending his campaign and will withdraw from the ballot following a sexual assault allegation he denies. His exit clears the way for the Maine Democratic Party to select a replacement nominee to challenge longtime Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in November.
Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Sullivan, Maine, won the Democratic primary on June 9, 2026, with approximately 72% of the vote in a ranked-choice contest. His insurgent, populist campaign focused on economic populism, workers’ rights, and opposition to what he called the “oligarchy.” He drew enthusiastic grassroots support and endorsements from progressive leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The campaign collapsed after a July 6 report by Politico (later covered by CNN and other outlets) in which Jenny Racicot, a Maine woman who had a casual dating relationship with Platner, alleged that he raped her in late 2021 while heavily intoxicated. She said she repeatedly told him to stop. Platner has vehemently denied the allegation, calling it false and politically motivated.
The accusation triggered rapid fallout. High-profile Democratic endorsements were withdrawn, including from several progressive members of Congress. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee signaled it would not invest in the race if Platner remained the nominee. The Maine Democratic Party called on him to step aside to allow time for a replacement.
In an 11-minute video posted on social media July 8, Platner said: “We believe that for the movement to continue it can’t be me — and for that reason we are suspending campaign operations.” He stressed that the decision was not an admission of guilt and criticized the Democratic establishment and media coverage, while announcing he would file paperwork to withdraw by Maine’s July 13 deadline.
Under state law, the Maine Democratic Party now has until July 27 to name a new nominee, likely through a nominating convention involving state committee members. Potential replacements mentioned include Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former state Senate President Troy Jackson, and former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah — all of whom had recent visibility in state Democratic politics.
The Maine Senate race is viewed as one of the most important contests of the 2026 midterms. Democrats see flipping the seat held by Collins (seeking a sixth term) as essential to their broader efforts to regain Senate control.
Platner’s rapid rise and sudden fall highlighted both the appeal of outsider, populist candidates in Democratic primaries and the intense scrutiny that follows when serious personal allegations surface in high-stakes races. The party now faces a compressed timeline to unify behind a new standard-bearer against Collins in a state that remains politically competitive.
SOURCES:
Exclusive: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her – POLITICO
Graham Platner is sharing more about post-combat struggles. Has it made his campaign more resilient? | Maine Public
Read our full archive of Graham Platner’s deleted Reddit comments
Graham Platner suspends Senate campaign as Maine Democrats vie to replace him
What military service has Graham Platner done? | Britannica
Report details allegations of unsettling behavior toward women by Graham Platner | CNN Politics
