USA

Maine Senate candidate drops out, citing Platner’s post on military rape

Maine’s Daira Smith-Rodriguez (D) suspended her Senate campaign on Thursday and threw her support behind Gov. Janet Mills (D), citing past comments by her running mate, Graham Platner, that “ignored the seriousness of rape in the military.”

“It has become clear that Republicans are eager to see a crowded Democratic primary that divides our voices and amplifies their voices,” said Smith-Rodriguez, a U.S. Air Force civilian contractor officer. he wrote in a statement. “I won’t let this happen.”

“There are incredible leaders in this race who are speaking out about the real issues facing Mainers, from affordability to healthcare to housing and climate,” he said.

Smith-Rodriguez, a survivor of sexual assault in the military, added that she “cannot in good conscience support or remain silent if someone who questions the reality of this crisis even has the possibility of being elevated to the United States Senate.”

“This is a huge risk for those who still need a voice to fight for them,” he said.

The Washington Post reported that Platner wrote a series of controversial comments on Reddit in 2013, including ones disparaging reports of sexual assault in the military. In one such comment, it was said that those who had been raped should not “get so angry that they have sex with someone they don’t want it with.”

Later Platner rejected the comments He said on Oct. 17 that it was due to his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. During an appearance He said on “Pod Save America” that Maine residents “will realize that this is not the person they actually know and actually interact with.”

Despite this, Platner’s political director, former state Rep. Genevieve McDonald, resigned from his campaign over these posts. According to the Bangor Daily News.

Platner’s polling continues to show he has more support than Mills, who last week officially launched her campaign to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). According to poll results from the University of New Hampshire Research Center, nearly 60 percent of Maine Democrats support Platner, while 24 percent said they would vote for Mills, while 14 percent were undecided.

Platner continues to enjoy widespread support amid another controversy over a tattoo that resembles a Nazi skull symbol. His campaign has since confirmed that he covered up the tattoo earlier this week.

Head to The Hill for the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video.