Graham Platner supporters withdrew their endorsement following the shocking testimony of sexual assault from Platner’s ex-girlfriend. Democrats have until July 27th to find a replacement Senate candidate following Platner’s withdrawal.
In an explosive Politico report, Jenny Racicot detailed an account where Platner uninvitedly entered her home and forced her to have sex with him. Platner denies the accusations. Additional testimonies and correspondence between Racicot and her therapist, acquaintances, and former boyfriend corraberate the story well before Platner ran for office.
Following the Monday report, Platner canceled several Maine Senate campaign events and took “the time to reflect on the best path forward.”
Several of Platner’s supporters withdrew endorsements following the release of the report, including Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and California Congressman Ro Khanna. The Democratic Party of Maine and Our Revolution, the political organization founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders, also called for Platner to withdraw from the campaign.
(Related: Graham Platner Causes Division In The Democratic Party – Portland Post)
Following Platner’s withdrawal, Democrats have until July 27 to pick a replacement candidate. Speculation about Troy Jackson as the preferred replacement intensified after the report’s release, especially as several Platner supporters began pivoting toward endorsing Jackson.
Repeatedly, voters and campaign supporters asked Platner if any more damaging reports would come to light, and repeatedly Platner assured them of stability. Jenny Racicot’s accusation tipped the scales, leaving many betrayed, not only by Graham Platner but by those who stood by him as skeleton after skeleton left the closet.
(Related: NYT Report Details Explosive Allegations Against Graham Platner)
