Graham Platner exits Maine Senate race
Image: Sofia Aldinio
Democratic nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign for Maine's open US Senate seat late Wednesday evening, after losing support from Democratic leaders in the wake of a sexual assault allegation.
How we got here
Platner, a Marine veteran, handily won the Democratic primary on June 9 after two-term Gov. Janet Mills—the Democratic establishment’s preferred candidate—failed to gain support, and quit the contest in April.
His decision to step down this week comes after his campaign had already weathered several controversies in recent months. These include:
- The revelation that Platner had a skull-and-crossbones tattoo with Nazi symbolism, which he has since covered up; Platner claims he got the tattoo without knowing its historical meaning.
- Reports that his wife alerted campaign staff after discovering sexually explicit text messages between Platner and several other women.
- A Reddit account linked to Platner that featured a number of controversial posts between 2009-21, including dismissing sexual assault in the military, self-identifying as a communist, and asking why Black people don’t tip.
Still, Democratic leaders in Congress had largely continued backing Platner prior to this week, viewing him as an opportunity to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins and help regain control of the Senate.
But the latest accusation marked a turning point
On Monday, Politico published a series of interviews with Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine woman who dated Platner in 2021. In the article, Racicot detailed an alleged incident in which Platner sexually assaulted her at her home while drunk, despite Racicot repeatedly telling him to stop.
The political fallout was swift. Over the next two days, a number of major US senators, House members, and major Democratic organizations withdrew their support for Platner’s campaign. Platner has categorically denied Racicot’s allegation, even after suspending his campaign for Senate on Wednesday.
Looking ahead…Maine Democrats have already begun preparing for a replacement nominee for Platner, who plans to formally withdraw on Monday.
If Platner follows through, Democrats would be allowed to select a new nominee before a July 27 filing deadline. Maine is seen as a key Senate race for Democrats, who need a net gain of four seats to reclaim the chamber after the November midterms.
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Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that growing frustration with the political establishment has fueled support for outsider candidates, but contend that public anger alone cannot outweigh concerns about a candidate's character and fitness for office.
- Others contend that America’s political parties need both well-vetted candidates and ones who have a clear vision for addressing voters' top concerns, since strong personalities alone aren’t enough to build trust or win lasting support.
- “The progressive establishment made Graham Platner. Then it broke him.” –Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe
- “The Democrats Can’t Go On Like This” –NY Times Editorial Board
- “Maine Fell for the Trap of the Charming Outsider” –Gautam Mukunda, Bloomberg
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that Platner serves as a lesson for political parties to not overlook serious concerns about a candidate's background in pursuit of electoral success, as thorough vetting is essential to maintaining public trust and credibility.
- Others contend that the controversy surrounding Graham Platner reflects broader problems within the Democratic Party, arguing that prioritizing political advantage over consistent standards and a clear policy vision has weakened the party's credibility with voters.
- “Who vetted Graham Platner? Anyone?” –Carine Hajjar, WaPo
- “Graham Platner’s implosion isn’t a problem for just him — rather the entire Democratic Party” –NY Post Editorial Board
- “Platner's red flags were obvious. Democrats looked away.” –Dace Potas, USA Today
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