Graham Platner won Maine’s Democratic primary, then dropped out weeks later after ex-girlfriend’s sexual assault allegation: What his supporters say now

Graham Platner’s political rise in Maine was swift. After defeating former Gov Janet Mills in the June 9 Democratic Senate primary, the oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran had appeared poised to challenge Republican Sen Susan Collins. But less than a month later, he suspended his campaign after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault, an allegation he has denied.

Platner announced his withdrawal on July 8. Blaming the political establishment for undermining his campaign. And his exit left Maine Democrats scrambling to find a replacement and exposed divisions between progressive supporters who backed his outsider candidacy & party figures who questioned whether he could remain their nominee.

Months later, the controversy continues to shape the race with some Democrats still arguing that Platner was treated unfairly and others standing by their concerns about his past.

A primary victory that put Platner in the spotlight

Platner defeated Mills in the Democratic primary. Winning more votes than any previous Democratic US Senate candidate in Maine history, according to Maine Public. His campaign had attracted voters looking for an alternative to established political figures.

An oyster farmer and former Marine, Platner built his candidacy around working class concerns and criticism of concentrated wealth and political power. His rise drew national attention and made him a prominent figure in the contest to unseat Collins.

While his campaign had already faced scrutiny over old online posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, Reports about sexually explicit messages he exchanged with other women while married also raised questions about his judgment.

Despite those controversies, he secured the nomination. The decisive change came after a former girlfriend’s allegation prompted a new wave of criticism and calls for him to leave the race.

Former girlfriend’s allegation prompts calls to withdraw

Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend, told POLITICO that Platner forced her to have sex in 2021 despite her telling him to stop. She said she ended contact with him after the encounter.

Platner rejected the allegation, calling it “categorically false.” He also argued that the timing of the report threatened his campaign at a critical moment.

The accusation quickly changed the political response to his candidacy. Sen Bernie Sanders, one of Platner’s most prominent supporters, said he had recommended that Platner step aside. Rep Ro Khanna withdrew his endorsement, while Democratic leaders and national party groups warned that they would not support the race financially if Platner remained the nominee.

The pressure came as Democrats viewed Maine as an important opportunity to win a Senate seat. With support falling away, Platner announced on July 8 that he was suspending campaign operations.

In his withdrawal video, he portrayed the decision as a setback for the movement behind him rather than an admission of wrongdoing.

He told that time, "We believe that for the movement to continue, it can't be me. And for that reason we are suspending campaign operations," as quoted by Maine Public.

He maintained that the allegations were false and criticized political leaders for what he described as an effort to deprive his campaign of the resources needed to compete.

Some Democrats say the party pushed him out

Platner’s departure didn't end the debate over his candidacy. In October, the New York Post spoke with Maine Democrats who continued to support him and questioned how the party establishment had handled the controversy.

Some supporters said Platner had brought energy to the race that his replacement might struggle to reproduce. Others remained concerned about the allegations and earlier revelations surrounding his campaign.

Former Waterville Mayor Karen Heck told the Post, “The establishment did not want him to be out there mobilizing people who had never voted before, just for change,” adding, “It’s another example of innuendo taking somebody down who was popular. Not to say you don’t believe women, but there were circumstances around that allegation that were never investigated … the prosecutor should actually believe women and bring those cases forward.”

Platner returns to oyster farming as Troy Jackson takes over

By late October, Platner had returned to oyster farming in Sullivan, Maine. When the New York Post approached him on October 27, he indicated that he was back to his usual work.

The newspaper reported that he was supplying oysters to his mother’s restaurant and had largely stayed out of public view since suspending his campaign. Some local residents said he appeared to have returned to his routine, while others remained critical of him.

Platner did not offer a prediction about the Senate election when approached by the newspaper.

State Sen. Troy Jackson took over the Democratic nomination after Platner’s withdrawal. Jackson, a former Maine Senate president and logger, faced the challenge of building a campaign against Collins after the party had already gone through a contested primary and an abrupt change of nominee.

Some Democrats questioned whether Jackson could generate the same enthusiasm Platner had attracted. Others supported the change and wanted the party to move beyond the controversy.

Platner’s campaign had begun with a decisive primary victory and a message that resonated with progressive voters. Its collapse left Democrats with a new candidate and an unresolved disagreement over whether the party had lost an effective outsider or avoided a nominee whose controversies threatened its chances in November.