Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner suspended his campaign in the US state of Maine, disrupting a race that Democrats see as one of their best chances of winning a US Senate seat.
The move came after Politico reported that Jenny Racicot, who previously dated Plattner, accused him of raping her in 2021.
The allegation prompted several prominent Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders, to withdraw their support for Plattner.
Plattner denied the allegation in a video posted on social media Wednesday, but said he would withdraw from the race.
Who is Graham Platner?
Plattner, an oyster businessman and military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, ran as a political outsider with a message focused on economic inequality and frustration directed at established politicians.
His populist message energized progressives in Maine and helped him defeat Maine Governor Janet Mills, the Democratic establishment’s preferred candidate, in the June primary.
But his rise came despite a series of controversies: media reports exposed old Reddit posts where he appeared to endorse political violence, as well as a “Totenkopf” or skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest. This symbol is widely associated with Nazi aesthetics.
Plattner apologized for the post and said he was unaware of the meaning of his tattoo, saying he got it while drunk while on military leave years ago.
Supporters largely ignored those issues as Plattner spoke openly about his battles with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and alcohol abuse following his military service.
But allegations emerged on Monday that in 2021, when Graham and Racicot were dating, Graham broke into her home without permission and raped her while intoxicated.
but in Interview with CNNRacicot said that “It’s something I tried to forget for many years.”
Why does the Maine Senate race matter?
Maine is considered one of the Democrats’ strongest chances to flip a Republican-held Senate seat in the November midterm elections.
Recent polls show Democrats have a chance to win A majority in the Senate, which would allow him to more forcefully block President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Maine, the only state that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 but is still represented by a Republican in the Senate – Senator Susan Collins – is a must-win state for Democrats.
Collins has cultivated a moderate image and has occasionally broken with Trump, though Democrats say she still largely supported the president’s agenda.
what happens next?
Maine Democratic leaders said they plan to hold a convention before the July 27 deadline to choose a new candidate.
Several Democrats have expressed interest, but any new nominee would face a tight deadline.
The selection process may also trigger competition between the liberal and progressive factions of the party.
Edited by: Natalie Muller
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