Sex assault claim throws key US Senate race into question

⁠Democratic Party leaders on Monday called on Graham Platner to withdraw as their nominee to run against Republican US Senator Susan Collins of Maine, after media reports that a woman accused him of forcibly having sex with her nearly five years ago.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement: “The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot”.

Earlier, Platner denied the ‌accusations and said in a statement: “We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward”.

He did not indicate whether he was considering suspending or ending his campaign.

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