Democrats Abandon Graham Platner After Rape Allegation, Warren Withdraws Endorsement

Democrats rapidly abandoned Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner on Monday after a rape allegation sparked a wave of defections from some of his biggest supporters, with prominent lawmakers urging the Democratic nominee to suspend his campaign.

The political fallout followed interviews published by Politico and CNN in which 41-year-old Maine resident Jenny Racicot alleged Platner entered her home uninvited while intoxicated nearly five years ago and raped her despite repeated objections.

Racicot, who said she had been in an on-and-off relationship with Platner, told Politico she immediately ended contact after the encounter.

“I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice,’” she said.

Platner denied the allegation in a statement Monday, saying Racicot’s account is false and announcing he was “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward” for his campaign.

Many Democrats made clear they did not believe the campaign should continue.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., rescinded her endorsement and called on Platner to step aside.

“There can be no tolerance for sexual assault,” Warren said. “With so much at stake, the best path forward is for Graham Platner to step aside as the Democratic nominee and address these serious allegations outside this Senate race.”

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who had been one of Platner’s highest-profile supporters, also withdrew his endorsement and urged the Maine Democrat to end his campaign.

Sens. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., likewise pulled their support Monday, although Gallego stopped short of explicitly calling for Platner to suspend his campaign.

The rapid collapse of Democratic support came just weeks after many of the same lawmakers stood behind Platner following separate abuse allegations made in June by former girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield. Platner has repeatedly denied those accusations, calling them false and politically motivated.

Khanna notably traveled to Maine to campaign alongside Platner after The New York Times first reported Fifield’s allegations.

SINKING SHIP: Top Democrats are pushing for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to exit the race after yet another scandal plagued his campaign, despite sticking by him throughout the first handful of scandals.@LawrenceBJones3: “There has been a lot of scandal. Why ditch him… pic.twitter.com/BQIbieSKko

— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) July 7, 2026

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chairwoman Kirsten Gillibrand also called on Graham Platner to “immediately withdraw” from the race.

“The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing – violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable,” the New York Democrats said in a statement released by the DSCC.

“Graham Platner needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate and allow Maine Democrats the opportunity to choose a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins,” Schumer and Gillibrand continued.

More over at The New York Post:

Schumer and Gillibrand call on Graham Platner to ‘immediately withdraw’ from Maine Senate race after rape allegation https://t.co/MdCxbKoZ6e pic.twitter.com/pPvUJjo3LE

— New York Post (@nypost) July 6, 2026