Top Democrats Press Graham Platner To Drop Out After Sexual Assault Accusation

Graham Platner, the Maine Democratic candidate for the US Senate, is facing calls from top Democrats to drop out after a woman he previously dated accused him of sexual assault in interviews with Politico published on Monday.

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Axios

Platner, a former Marine and oyster farmer, denied the allegation and said it was "categorically false" while also telling reporters he was "taking the time to reflect on the best path forward" for the race.

BBC

The pressure intensified as Democrats tied the decision to the party’s ability to compete against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, with the BBC noting the race is pivotal to Democrats’ chances of gaining control of the Senate.

CNN reported that Maine Democrats are rushing to come up with a plan to quickly replace Platner if he ends his Senate campaign, while also saying the next few weeks will be critical for Democrats to rescue their effort to win the seat and flip control of the Senate.

Senator Bernie Sanders, one of Platner’s biggest backers, said he had spoken with Platner and recommended that he step aside, adding, "In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside."

The Maine Democratic Party also issued a statement saying, "Maine Democratic Party leadership is calling on Graham Platner to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate."

CNBC

Axios reported that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined the calls, saying the DSCC would not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remained on the ballot.

CNN described how the Maine Democratic Party was working through what a potential nominee replacement process would look like, including ideas floated like a mini convention or caucus, while also noting Platner had not said whether he plans to leave the race.

Under state law, Maine Democrats can replace Platner on the November ballot if he withdraws before July 13, and the BBC reported that he must withdraw by 13 July for his name to be removed from the state's ballot and be replaced by another candidate.

“Pressure is building on Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out of the election after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her — a stunning fall for a once-ascendant candidate whose bid has been rocked by personal scandals for months as Democrats try to capture Republicans' lone congressional seat in New England”

CNBC

CNN said if Platner withdraws before 5 p.m. ET Monday, the Maine party would have until July 27 to submit a replacement name to the secretary of state.

The Hill reported that former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to explore a run, and Jackson said, "While I haven’t made any final decisions yet, I’m deeply humbled by the outpouring of support and encouragement I’ve received."

The stakes are tied to the Senate contest against Susan Collins, with the BBC describing the race as pivotal to Democrats’ chances of gaining control of the Senate and CNN saying Democrats are trying to flip control of the Senate in what it called the midterms.