Graham Platner says campaign will 'reflect on the best path forward' after sexual assault allegation
The Maine Democrat running for Senate said the allegation is "false."
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on Monday pushed back on an allegation of sexual assault, calling it "categorically false" and adding that he is "taking the time to reflect on the best path forward."
In a Politico report published on Monday, Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend, alleged that Platner, while they were dating five years ago, forced her into having sex without her consent after she had repeatedly called for him to stop.
ABC News has not confirmed the contents of the Politico story.
Racicot spoke to the New York Times about her relationship with Platner ahead of Maine's June 9 primary. Racicot told Politico that she spoke to the Times off the record about the incident. She is now going on the record with the alleged assault.
Racicot said in the Politco story that she shares Platner’s politics, which was, in part, why it took her time to share her allegation.
In a written statement released on Monday afternoon, Platner’s campaign said, "These allegations are very serious and Graham vigorously denies them. They are also coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives."
Platner has faced a number of scandals since he launched his campaign, including sending sexually explicit texts to multiple women and a tattoo with Nazi symbolism. He said he didn't know his tattoo had a Nazi association and covered it up when he learned about it.
"For a year, opponents of this campaign have thrown everything they can at Graham -- calling him a Nazi, a war criminal, and a communist," the campaign statement said. "None of it has been true and this is no different. It is not a coincidence that this story comes a week before the ballot deadline, just as the previous false allegations came a week before the primary. Graham began this campaign to fight for a Maine where everyone is treated with dignity and where Mainers are put first, and no amount of desperate smears will stop this movement from seeing that vision through."
Platner still has some time to withdraw from the Senate race if he decides to. If a candidate withdraws "on or before 5 p.m. of the 2nd Monday in July preceding the general election," a political committee would be able to make a replacement nomination, according to Maine statute.
That means Platner would have to withdraw before July 13 at 5 p.m. in order for the party to replace him for the general election. The party would have until July 27 to nominate a replacement.
If a candidate withdraws after that July 13 deadline, the party does not have any way to nominate a replacement.
That means if Platner withdrew after that date, Democrats would not be able to field a candidate for Senate -- which would be a boon to Republicans, as GOP incumbent Sen. Susan Collins would likely face only relatively unknown third-party or independent candidates.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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