Platner Reportedly Demands Say Over Successor Before Leaving Maine Senate Race Amid Rape Allegation

Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer who won the Democratic primary on June 9, is facing mounting pressure to withdraw after his former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, accused him of raping her in 2021. Platner has denied the allegation.

The crisis has thrown one of Democrats’ top Senate pickup opportunities into turmoil. Platner is seeking to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, a longtime incumbent whose seat had been viewed as a major target in the fight for control of the Senate.

🚨 WOW! Maine US Senate candidate Graham Platner is now holding the Democrat Party HOSTAGE, REFUSING to drop out following r*pe claims unless he gets to choose his successor — NYP

Total MELTDOWN MODE and internal war!

This leftist wants to get the SAME kind radical socialist… pic.twitter.com/5GOwSr2vVG

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 7, 2026

Maine election law gives Platner until Monday to withdraw if Democrats want to replace him on the general election ballot, writes The New York Post. If he steps aside, the state party would then have a narrow window to choose a new nominee.

But sources described Platner, his campaign, and political strategist Morris Katz as weighing a possible exit while insisting that any successor reflect Platner’s left-wing policy agenda. One source described the maneuvering as an apparent attempt tied to Sen. Bernie Sanders to clear the way for former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson.

Jackson, a former logger who finished third in Maine’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, joined Platner and Sanders at a “Fight the Oligarchy” rally in May. He has also filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to explore a Senate bid.

“This vibes to me like a play from Bernie Sanders to slide in Troy Jackson,” the source said.

The same source said Platner appeared to expect any replacement to seek his support even after the allegation, saying he “assumes whoever might replace [him] would want a rapist’s endorsement.”

Another source described Platner’s team as “delusional,” pointing to Katz’s continued recommendation that Platner stay in the race. Katz previously advised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who publicly called Tuesday for Platner to drop out.

Sanders, who had been Platner’s most prominent national supporter, also broke with him Tuesday.

“I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside.”

Platner has denied the accusation, calling the claim of “non-consensual behavior … categorically false.”

In a video statement, Platner said: “Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of 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.”

Senior Democrats who refused to budge when it came out that Platner had a Nazi tattoo, attacked wounded veterans, and physically assaulted a former girlfriend who happened to be Republican, have moved quickly to distance themselves now that it appears he also sexually assaulted a liberal woman. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other top party figures have withdrawn their endorsements. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has said it will not invest in the race if Platner remains the nominee.

It also appears that The New York Times tried to cover up the entire problem for Platner.

I actually understand why Democrat leaders didn't take our stories seriously when the Times reported them in June but are taking them seriously now.

It was by design.

The line most shared from the piece was the claim that the Times “could not corroborate” my story despite…

— Lyndsey Fifield (@lyndseyfifield) July 7, 2026

Several names have surfaced as potential replacements if Platner exits, including Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former state CDC Director Nirav Shah, congressional candidate Jordan Wood, and Jackson. A “Draft Troy” website has also launched, promoting Jackson as a “proven progressive” and “champion of working people.”

The emerging replacement fight has exposed a deeper split inside the party. Some Democrats want a nominee who can preserve Platner’s populist energy and appeal to left-wing voters. Others worry that any candidate closely tied to Platner would inherit the damage from his campaign’s scandals.

Platner and Jackson both support higher taxes on billionaires and a single-payer “Medicare for All” health care system. Platner has also emphasized foreign policy and called U.S. support for Israel “shameful.”

The rape allegation is not the first controversy to hit Platner’s campaign. Since launching his bid last August, he has faced scrutiny over a controversial chest tattoo, past offensive Reddit comments, and inappropriate sexual text messages sent to women who were not his wife.

Representatives for Platner’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The standoff leaves Democrats with little time to resolve the crisis before Monday’s filing deadline. If Platner refuses to withdraw, the party may be forced to run with a nominee abandoned by many of its own leaders in a race Democrats had hoped could help them flip the Senate.