Graham Platner, the Democrat running in the Maine Senate race looking to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, is facing fresh sexual assault allegations.
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The allegations were hinted at by The New York Times earlier this year in an article about Platner’s history with women, when his former girlfriend Jenny Racicot said he participated in “reckless” and “unsettling” behavior during their relationship several years ago.
Racicot recently spoke with Politico, where she gave more details, alleging Platner forced himself on her without her consent when he was “almost blackout drunk,” in 2021.
Platner denies the allegations.
Raciot told Politico that she had an on-and-off again relationship with Platner for more than two years before he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
Platner has faced a series of issues throughout his campaign. Described as a veteran, an oysterman, and a working-class candidate, Platner earned attention and followers when first announced as a candidate.
Last year, several of Platner’s Reddit posts were released, including critical comments about women and members of the military. He described himself as a “psychedelics taking socialist” and also said sexual assault victims should “just take some responsibility for themselves.”
Platner also had a Nazi-related tattoo on his chest, which he later covered up. He said he and fellow military members got them while serving abroad during a night of drinking.
In her interview with Politico, Racicot gave the outlet details about the assault and its aftermath. The outlet said she shared messages sent to a friend, her therapist and a boyfriend, with most sent before Platner announced his run for office. She said she considered going to the police but struggled with shock and confusion about what happened and didn’t want to file a report and have to detail the personal experience to police. She also said she feared retaliation from Platner.
Racicot said she was torn about coming forward with the accusations against Platner because she agrees with him politically.
“I just want the truth out there. I just want people to have a whole scope of who he is as a person,” she told Politico.
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Platner denies allegations, cancels campaign events
pic.twitter.com/9itIt4Mw25
— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) July 6, 2026
Platner denied the allegations in a video shared online Monday, as the Politico article was being published. Platner called the Racicot’s accusations “troubling,” “serious,” and “false.”
“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,” he said in a video.
Earlier Monday, it was reported that Platner had canceled several campaign events on Sunday and Monday, with nothing else on his schedule.
Platner easily won the Democratic primary last month, setting the stage for him to take on Collins in the November primary election.
Platner would need to end his campaign by July 13 in order for Maine Democrats to nominate a replacement in time for the general election, according to state law. If that happens, a “political committee” would have until July 27th to select a replacement.
Recommendations online in the immediate aftermath of Platner’s video and Politico’s article say Troy Jackson, a Democrat who was running in the gubernatorial race and came in third in the primary, should be considered as Platner’s replacement.
The controversies plaguing Platner’s campaign could affect Democrats’ goal to flip control of the Senate. Collins’ seat is key to their ambitions in November.
The Democratic National Committee stopped running digital fundraising advertisements featuring Platner amid the publishing of the Politico article.
While he didn’t explicitly end his campaign, Platner’s statement Monday about taking time points to the possible end of his congressional bid.
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