Graham Platner Accused of Sexual Assault, Dems Call on Him to Step Down

Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on Monday was accused of sexual assault by former girlfriend Jenny Racicot. Outlets across the political spectrum emphasized Democrats' calling on him to step down and contextualized the accusation within other controversies surrounding Platner.

The Details: Racicot told Politico (Lean Left bias) that she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for over two years before he entered her Maine home uninvited in late 2021, reportedly intoxicated, and assaulted her. She said she cut off contact with him after telling him the encounter wasn't consensual. Platner denied the allegations and said he will take time "to reflect on the best path forward."

Other Controversies: The allegation comes after a series of other controversies surrounding Platner and his campaign, including a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, resurfaced Reddit posts, campaign withdrawals and allegations of "sexting" and mistreatment of former romantic partners. The Atlantic (Left) wrote that the accusation shows "how dreadfully irresponsible it was for Democrats" to push for Platner's nomination despite previous controversies so that they might win a Senate majority.

Democrats Pull Endorsements: Outlets on the left and right highlighted criticism from Democrat leaders, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The New York Post (Right) wrote that the "embattled candidate" was "bleeding support." An opinion writer in Bloomberg (Lean Left) argued that Platner's fall could "Save Democrats from themselves" and that the allegation was forcing Democratic leaders to "finally hold the serious conversation they've been avoiding all year." 

Ahead of Midterms: The Hill (Center) wrote that "A party that champions the cases of women accusing the sitting president of rape will be hard pressed to ignore these allegations." It outlined ways Democrats could possibly still win the midterms if they replaced Platner with incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) before the July 13 withdrawal date, but noted that may cause them to lose any midterm advantage. The Hill said if Platner remains on the ballot, "Democrats' chances [of winning] become dramatically worse." Washington Examiner (Lean Right) wrote that Platner was getting "the Biden treatment" ahead of midterms, which it described as a coordinated effort to get him to drop out and replace him on the ballot before the deadline.

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