Top Democrats call on Graham Platner to drop out as sexual assault allegation emerges

Key Points:

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Maine Democratic Party leaders urged Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw from the race following a Politico report accusing him of sexual assault, allegations Platner denies as "categorically false."
• The accuser, Jenny Racicot, alleges Platner entered her home without permission while intoxicated in 2021 and forced himself on her, claims she expanded on in a CNN interview describing the incident as rape; Platner's campaign dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
• Several prominent Democrats, including Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have called on Platner to drop out, with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee threatening to withhold investment if he remains the nominee.
• Platner won the Maine Democratic Senate primary last month but faces a July 13 deadline to withdraw, after which the party can select a new nominee; his campaign has faced multiple controversies including past problematic comments and allegations of inappropriate behavior.
• Despite mounting pressure and canceled campaign events, Platner has stated he remains committed to the race and has not considered dropping out, while some Democrats fear the allegations could jeopardize their chances to unseat GOP Sen. Susan Collins in November.