Several Democratic politicians including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, California Rep. Ro Khanna, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren have pulled their endorsements of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner after he was accused of sexual assault.
Politico reported that Platner has been accused of sexually assaulting former girlfriend Jenny Racicot, a Maine resident, alleging that he forced her to have sex with him five years ago.
These allegations have added uncertainty to a must-win race for the party. Platner has denied the allegations, saying that “any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue” and added that he would be considering next steps for his campaign.
“I believe that it’s time for him to drop out of the race,” Mamdani told reporters at New York City Hall, adding that withdrawing his campaign was the “only appropriate response” to the latest sexual assault allegation against Platner. Although Mamdani had not endorsed the Democratic candidate, he said Platner should end his campaign.
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Rep. Ro Khanna, who had previously stood by Platner amid other controversies, withdrew his endorsement. “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna said. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”
While Khanna had broken with Platner faster than other prominent Democratic supporters, including Sens. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, he still faced criticism for his longstanding associations with Platner. Republicans piled on to Khanna’s post on Platner, while some Democrats also criticized him.
“Ro Khanna, who I think has done Lord’s work on the Epstein files — why he believes those women, but for some reason did not believe enough the previous women [making allegations against Platner] to withdraw his endorsement way before today, it’s puzzling to me,” Julie Roginsky, a Democratic strategist and cable news staple, said on CNN on Monday, minutes after Jake Tapper aired an interview with Platner’s accuser.
Roginsky was likely referring to a previous New York Times report which mentioned that Platner had volatile relationships with previous girlfriends, one of whom said an argument became physical. Platner denied the allegations.
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Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced they were pulling their endorsements and called on Platner to drop out. The Democratic leaders of Maine’s legislature and top officials at the state Democratic Party did the same.
“This Senate race comes at a pivotal moment in the struggle against a government, supported by Senator Collins, that serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful at the expense of ordinary Maine people. It is essential that we refocus this campaign on that struggle,” party chair Charlie Dingman, vice chair Imke Schessler and executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson said in a joint statement.
Meanwhile, Collins said in a brief statement that the allegations are “appalling.” “Nevertheless, it is not up to me to choose the Democratic nominee for Senate,” Collins said.
State law allows Platner to be replaced on the November ballot if he withdraws by July 13. The replacement candidate must be named by July 27.