Support for embattled Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is rapidly collapsing among Democrats after a rape allegation surfaced, with one of his most prominent supporters, Rep. Ro Khanna of California, rescinding his endorsement and calling on Platner to suspend his campaign. The allegation, detailed in a Politico report, comes from Maine resident Jenny Racicot, 41, who previously dated Platner. Racicot claims that in 2021, Platner forced his way into her home and compelled her to have unprotected sex. Platner has denied the accusation, but his campaign has stated it is evaluating its next steps.
Khanna, a progressive lawmaker with potential presidential ambitions, had been a vocal backer of Platner's insurgent Senate campaign for months, even appearing with him at a campaign event in June. However, in a social media post Monday evening, Khanna stated, “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.” The reversal marks a significant shift for Khanna, who had previously defended Platner amid earlier controversies, including allegations of abuse from a former girlfriend and a history of offensive online statements.
Khanna’s statement came shortly after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), issued a joint statement calling on Platner to “immediately” leave the race. The pair warned that the DSCC would not invest in Maine—a key battleground state where Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, is seeking reelection—if Platner remains the Democratic nominee. “The allegations against Graham Platner are deeply troubling,” Schumer and Gillibrand said. “He should step aside so that Democrats can nominate a candidate who can win this seat and uphold the values of our party.”
Racicot appeared on CNN Monday afternoon to discuss her allegation, telling host Jake Tapper that “by dictionary definition” Platner “raped” her. Her account has intensified scrutiny of Platner, who has faced a series of controversies since launching his campaign. In June, former girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield accused Platner of abuse, an allegation first reported by The New York Times that Platner has denied. Platner has also faced criticism for sending sexually explicit messages to multiple women while married, making offensive online statements over a decade, and having a Nazi-linked tattoo that he wore for most of his adult life.
Khanna’s earlier defense of Platner drew criticism from Democratic strategist Shannon Watts, founder of the gun control group Moms Demand Action. Watts slammed the timing of Khanna’s statement, writing on social media, “You flew to Maine to campaign with him AFTER he was accused of assault against another woman.” Khanna had previously argued that Platner, a combat veteran with PTSD, had overcome a dark past and deserved redemption. In a June interview with CBS News, Khanna said, “Here you have a case of someone who had a dark chapter in his life, was in toxic relationships, was ashamed about it, who served this country, and the Maine voters are saying, ‘Look, let’s give him some grace.’”
Khanna also told Fox News in June that he had asked Platner if there were any credible allegations of sexual assault that had not been revealed, and Platner denied any such claims. “I made it clear that, for me, is a red line,” Khanna said. “And he said, no, there is not.” The California lawmaker added that Platner’s consensual texts while married were a separate matter, noting that Platner’s wife had publicly forgiven him.
Khanna is not the only prominent Democrat to distance himself from Platner following the rape allegation. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, an early Platner supporter, was the first to rescind his endorsement after the Politico report. Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona also withdrew his endorsement Monday evening but stopped short of calling on Platner to exit the race. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who did not endorse Platner, called on him to suspend his campaign, stating, “Character and accountability matter regardless of party. It’s time for Graham Platner to drop out and allow for someone else to be nominated.”
Far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who has championed socialist candidates, also distanced himself from Platner, saying during his livestream, “This is beyond red flags. This is irredeemable.” The cascade of defections underscores the deepening crisis for Platner’s campaign, which had been seen as a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats in a state that has trended blue in recent years. With the midterm elections approaching, party leaders are scrambling to find a viable alternative candidate to challenge Collins, who has held her seat since 1997 and is considered one of the most moderate Republicans in the Senate.
Platner’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The candidate has denied Racicot’s allegation and has not indicated whether he will withdraw from the race. As the controversy continues to unfold, the Democratic Party faces the challenge of maintaining unity and fielding a strong candidate in a critical battleground state.
