Top Democrats press Maine senate candidate to drop out of race over sexual assault allegation

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Top Democrats press Maine senate candidate to drop out of race over sexual assault allegationImage source, Getty ImagesBySareen HabeshianPublished6 July 2026Updated 4 hours agoTop Democrats are calling for Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic candidate for the US Senate, to drop out of the race after a woman he previously dated accused him of sexual assault. The woman detailed the alleged assault in a series of interviews with Politico, which were published on Monday. Platner, a former combat marine and oyster farmer, denied the allegation, calling it "categorically false" but said he was "taking the time to reflect on the best path forward" in the race, which is pivotal to Democrats' chances of gaining control of the Senate.

His campaign has been rocked by multiple scandals, including the discovery of a tattoo on his chest resembling a Nazi symbol. Will this scandal-plagued outsider help save or sink the Democrats? Published10 June"Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to and the goal of defeating Susan Collins," Platner said in a video statement on social media shortly after the story was published by Politico.

The Details

Prominent Democrats in the Senate, along with Maine's Democratic party, have called on Platner to "immediately withdraw". Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement: "The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing – violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable. "The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee - which provides millions of dollars in support to the party's candidates - "will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot", they added.

The list of Democrats calling on him to drop out grew on Monday night, to include Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Elissa Slotkin, while three supporters in the party withdrew their endorsements - Congressman Ro Khanna and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego. Platner's campaign has postponed several events that were scheduled for this week. The has reached out to the campaign for comment.

Platner is set to take on the incumbent senator, Republican Susan Collins, who has beaten back political challenges for three decades, in November's congressional elections. The race is one of several pivotal to Democrats eyeing a longshot bid to flip control of the Senate in what are commonly called the midterms. No Republican has carried Maine in a presidential election since 1988.

Adding to the pressure for the party, Platner must withdraw from the race by 13 July in order for his name to be removed from the state's ballot and replaced by another candidate's.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.