Democratic lawmakers are calling on Graham Platner to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race in Maine after a former girlfriend told Politico he sexually assaulted her in 2021.
According to the report, Platner allegedly entered the woman's home while intoxicated and forced her to have sex despite her repeated objections. Politico said it corroborated the allegations by reviewing past messages exchanged between the accuser and her therapist, and by speaking with individuals she had confided in at the time.
NPR has not independently verified the claims.
In a statement to NPR, Platner denied the allegations, describing them as "troubling, serious, and false." He also posted a video saying he is assessing his next steps.
This is the first time a major news outlet has reported an allegation of assault against Platner, according to NPR's Elena Moore. It follows other significant controversies, including his campaign confirming reports that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with multiple women early in his marriage.
The allegation arrives at a difficult moment for Democrats. The Maine Senate seat is considered a crucial race for the party's efforts to regain control of the Senate in the fall. Moore described the claims as having dealt a serious blow to the party's position in the state.
Under Maine election law, a general election candidate has until the second Monday in July to withdraw from the race. That deadline gives Platner limited time to decide whether to step aside.
If he does not withdraw, Democrats face the prospect of running a candidate carrying multiple public controversies into a competitive race they need to win.
