Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have both publicly urged Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate, to step down immediately. This call for withdrawal comes in the wake of allegations that Platner trespassed into a woman’s residence and committed a sexual assault.
In a joint statement via the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Schumer and Gillibrand expressed that the allegations uncovered are “extremely troubling.” Gillibrand, who is at the helm of the DSCC, along with Schumer, asserted that Platner should exit the campaign. This would enable Maine Democrats to select a fresh contender to challenge Senator Susan Collins.
“Today’s allegations are profoundly unsettling—acts of violence, mistreatment, and sexual assault cannot be tolerated,” the statement read. “Graham Platner must promptly step down as the Democratic Senate nominee to provide Maine Democrats the chance to nominate a new candidate capable of defeating Susan Collins.”
The statement further declared, “The DSCC will refrain from investing in the Maine Senate race if Platner persists on the ballot.”
This demand from Schumer and Gillibrand follows a report from Politico which disclosed a serious accusation by Jenny Racicot, 41. Racicot alleges that Platner entered her home “without invitation one night in late 2021,” during which he was “highly intoxicated” and allegedly assaulted her despite her repeated objections.
“I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me,” Racicot said, adding that she remembered when she thought, “this is no longer my choice.”
Racicot was one of several women who had spoken to the New York Times about previously dating Platner. Racicot shared with the outlet how Platner showed up “at her house drunk, after she had asked him not to come over.” She also told the outlet that Platner’s behavior was “reckless” and “unsettling.”
In the aftermath of the report from Politico, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) withdrew their endorsements of Platner, stating that the “allegations are very serious and credible,” and called for him to exit the race.
“The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious,” Gallego said. “I am rescinding my endorsement.”