Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner has halted his campaign for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat after facing a wave of controversies, including a recent accusation of sexual assault that triggered widespread calls from party leaders for him to withdraw.
In a video shared on X, Platner insisted the allegation against him was untrue and maintained that stepping aside should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
He argued that Democratic officials had threatened to withdraw financial and organisational backing, leaving his campaign with little chance of continuing.
Although campaign activities have ceased, Platner said he would formally remove his name from the ballot only after receiving assurances that the process to choose a replacement candidate would be fair, transparent and representative of Democratic voters.
Maine law requires candidates to officially withdraw by 13 July for a substitute nominee to appear on the November ballot.
The contest is regarded as one of the Democratic Party’s most important opportunities in its effort to regain control of the U.S. Senate during the midterm elections.
Winning the seat currently held by Republican Senator Susan Collins is considered essential to those ambitions.
An oyster farmer and former Marine, Platner rose rapidly in the Democratic primary by campaigning on progressive priorities such as universal healthcare, affordable housing and anti-establishment reforms.
His candidacy gained additional momentum after receiving endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, while Maine Governor Janet Mills later suspended her own campaign.
However, the campaign began to unravel after a succession of damaging revelations.
Last year, reports emerged that Platner had previously worn a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he said had since been covered. He explained that he received the tattoo while drinking with fellow Marines during a trip to Croatia in 2007.
Further controversy followed when old Reddit posts resurfaced in which Platner appeared to suggest that survivors of sexual assault should bear some responsibility if they became heavily intoxicated.
He later apologised and appealed to voters for forgiveness.
Additional scrutiny came after reports revealed he had exchanged explicit messages with other women during his marriage.
Platner acknowledged the claims, while subsequent accounts from former partners described alleged episodes of volatile and aggressive behaviour.
The decisive blow came after Jenny Racicot, 41, alleged that Platner entered her Maine home without permission and sexually assaulted her following an on-and-off relationship spanning more than two years.
She claimed he appeared heavily intoxicated during the incident and said she ended all contact after informing him the encounter had not been consensual.
Racicot, who had previously spoken to reporters anonymously, said she initially avoided identifying herself publicly because she did not want to be recognised as a rape survivor.
Platner strongly rejected the accusation, describing it as entirely fabricated.
He also criticised the media and Democratic leadership, arguing that he was denied a meaningful opportunity to respond before public opinion had turned against him.
Following the allegation, Senator Warren and several prominent Democratic lawmakers withdrew their endorsements, while the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Maine Democratic Party also ended their support.
Platner becomes the second high-profile Democratic candidate this year to abandon a major campaign after facing allegations of sexual misconduct.
Earlier this year, Congressman Eric Swalwell withdrew from California’s gubernatorial race and resigned from Congress after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.
He has denied the allegations.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong