The Democratic Party in Maine has demanded that newcomer U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner step aside after a former girlfriend alleges a sexual assault. The allegations were detailed in a series of interviews with Politico, published early this week.

Platner—a former Marine and oyster farmer—denied the claim, calling it false, but said he was "taking the time to reflect on the best path forward" in the race. In a short video posted on social media, he explained that his main goal is to defeat long‑time incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.

The controversy comes amid a web of past scandals for Platner. Those include a chest tattoo that resembled the Nazi “death head” symbol, controversial online posts dismissing the seriousness of rape, a reportedly unfaithful marriage, and a history of exchanging explicit text messages with women outside his marriage.

Responding in a full statement, the Maine Democratic Party called for Platner to withdraw, citing a pattern of credible allegations from multiple women that could jeopardise the campaign’s credibility. “We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for Maine, the people we love and the movement we belong to,” the statement noted.

• Senator Bernie Sanders said he had spoken with Platner about the best forward‑path and recommends he step aside.


• Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand condemned the allegations as “incredibly disturbing.”


• The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee warned it would not invest in a race that continues to feature Platner.


• Multiple party officials, including Rep. Ro Khanna, Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rubén Gallego, withdrew their endorsements.


• City Mayor Zohran Mamdani echoed the call for the candidate to drop out.


• Jordanian as well, the party scheduled a potential replacement candidate if Platner leaves the ballot by July 13, regulatory deadline.

Platner’s campaign has paused several events, and the BBC is awaiting clarification from his team. Two former romantic partners have also accused him—one alleging he entered her home uninvited, the other alleging repeated removal of condoms during sex.

The allegations threaten to derail a race that is one of several key battlegrounds for Democrats seeking to flip control of the Senate in the 2026 mid‑terms. As supporters weigh the political ramifications, the decision whether Platner continues or withdraws remains a pivotal moment for the state's future legislators.

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