Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the Maine Senate race, could be removed from the November ballot following sexual assault allegations reported by Politico. Jenny Racicot, who had an on-and-off relationship with Platner, accused him of forcing himself on her in 2021 at her home in Maine while he was reportedly intoxicated.

The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices has set July 13 as the deadline for Platner to withdraw and allow a replacement candidate. The Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to officially replace their nominee on the ballot, as per state law.

Maine law requires that a candidate who withdraws 70 days or more before the general election be removed from the ballot. If Platner ends his campaign by the July 13 deadline, a nominating meeting must be convened by an appointee of Maine Democratic State Committee Chair Charlie Dingman.

The allegations have drawn significant attention. Left-wing Twitch streamer Hasan Piker called it "curtains" for Platner after reading the report on his stream, highlighting the detailed documentation including emails and therapist communications from Racicot. Piker noted the allegations as credible and referenced prior reports from The New York Times about Platner's past behavior.

The Maine Democratic Party acknowledged multiple serious allegations against Platner in a statement, saying, "Today’s statements take those allegations even further."

Platner has denied the allegations, calling them "categorically false."

Sources