Live Updates: Calls Mount for Graham Platner to End Maine Senate Bid After Rape Accusation

Key Points:

• Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine, faces serious sexual assault allegations from Jenny Racicot, who accused him of non-consensual sex in 2021, leading to calls from party leaders and prominent Democrats for him to withdraw from the race.
• Platner denies the allegations, calling them "troubling, serious, and false," while several endorsements have been rescinded, including from the Senate Democratic campaign arm and Representative Ro Khanna.
• The Maine Democratic Party leadership and various organizations, including End Citizens United, have urged Platner to exit the race, citing the severity and credibility of the accusations.
• Platner has until July 13 to withdraw from the Senate race, with the party able to replace him on the ballot by July 27, amid concerns that his continued candidacy could jeopardize the Democrats' chances in a key Senate battleground state.
• Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins, whom Platner challenges, called the allegations "appalling" but stated it is not her role to decide the Democratic nominee.