By admin 
PHOENIX (AP/AZFamily) — Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego announced he is withdrawing his endorsement of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner after a Politico report released Monday alleged that Platner drunkenly forced a woman to have sex after she told him to stop — throwing a must-win race for the party into turmoil.
Read more Police search Peoria district offices in teacher sexual misconduct investigation
Gallego joined a wave of prominent Democrats pulling support, including the main campaign arm of Senate Democrats, Rep. Ro Khanna of California, and the Democratic-leaning political group End Citizens United. The Democratic leaders of Maine’s legislature also called for Platner to withdraw, as did top officials at the state Democratic Party.
Platner denied the allegation but said he would be considering next steps for his campaign.
“Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we’re taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” he said in a video released on social media.
The Allegation
Jenny Racicot, who lives in Maine, told Politico that Platner entered her home in 2021 while drunk and assaulted her. Racicot said she had been in an on-and-off relationship with Platner, but she cut off contact with him after that night and told him the incident wasn’t consensual. In an interview on CNN Monday evening, she said she opted not to fight back for fear of Platner, a former Marine, becoming more violent.
“He violated multiple layers of consent that night,” Racicot said.
“Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false,” Platner said in his video.
Platner’s campaign did not immediately respond to an email and phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Uproar in the Democratic Party
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee called on Platner to drop out and said it would spend no money in the state if he is the nominee.
“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,” said DSCC chair Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in a joint statement.
Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who had previously stood by Platner, also reversed course. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement,” Khanna said.
Maine’s state Democratic Party chair Charlie Dingman, vice chair Imke Schessler and executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson said in a joint statement: “Over the past several weeks, multiple women have made serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner. Today’s statements take those allegations even further.”
Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins said: “These allegations are appalling. Nevertheless, it is not up to me to choose the Democratic nominee for Senate.”
Read more Drought dangers: Shrinking Lake Mead levels expose new hazards
A Succession of Controversies
Platner was a first-time candidate who won Maine’s Democratic primary last month with backing from the party’s left wing. A veteran who also worked for a private security contractor, Platner has a chest tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol, a history of controversial statements on social media, and reportedly sexted with other women shortly after getting married.
In 2013, Platner posted on Reddit that sexual assault victims should “just take some responsibility for themselves.” He has since apologized and says he no longer holds those beliefs.
Hasan Piker, a leftist commentator and streamer who had backed Platner, also reversed himself Monday. “This is a clear-cut instance of verifiable sexual assault allegations. It’s completely irredeemable,” Piker said during a Twitch livestream.
What Comes Next
State law allows Platner to be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13, with a replacement candidate named by July 27. As of Monday, Platner had canceled a handful of campaign town halls planned in Maine.
Chatter has already begun circulating about possible replacements, including former state senator and logger Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
Maine Democrats have long sought to oust Collins, who has held on despite representing a state that reliably votes Democratic at the presidential level. Platner had pitched himself as a blue-collar oysterman and veteran who could reach disaffected Trump voters — but the mounting allegations have left many in the party deeply unsettled.
“I’ve known this has been coming,” said Marie Follayttar, a Democrat and community organizer in Maine. “I’ve been scared and I’ve been sick waiting.”
The Associated Press generally does not name victims of sexual assault, but in this case, Racicot spoke in an interview with Politico.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Read more REPORT: Horse, ‘Pinto,’ resisted walking before being latched to truck, died under Las Vegas heat