Pressure builds on Graham Platner to quit Maine Senate race

Pressure is mounting for Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out after a Maine woman accused him of sexually harassing her; It’s a stunning decline for a once-rising candidate whose bid was rocked by personal scandals for months as Democrats tried to capture Republicans’ sole congressional seat in New England.

Platner denied allegations that he forced himself on 41-year-old Maine resident Jenny Racicot in 2021. The 41-year-old oysterman and veteran defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in the June primary after thrusting herself into the national spotlight with her gruff demeanor and progressive message. But his formidable candidacy faces nearly insurmountable challenges as his first and most ardent supporters in the Democratic Party called on him to resign the day after Politico revealed Racicot’s allegations.

The race is vital for both political parties, as Republicans try to retain control of the Senate and Democrats try to wrest control from them. Defending or defeating five-term incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins is key to both parties’ plans.

Platner said in a video statement Monday that he was considering the next steps for his campaign. Pressure to drop out of the race increased Tuesday after his closest ally, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., asked him to drop out of the race.

“I spoke with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine,” Sanders said in a statement Tuesday. he said. “In light of these very serious allegations, I suggested he step aside.”

If Platner withdraws before July 13, Democrats may put forward another candidate before July 27. That could lead to a mad dash among state Democrats to find a viable candidate to take on Collins in a competitive race. The Cook Political Report notes that Amy Walter “leans” toward Republicans.

Some former candidates in this year’s gubernatorial, Senate and House primaries have already expressed interest in replacing Platner on the ballot. Those names include gubernatorial runner-up Nirav Shah, onetime Platner ally Troy Jackson and former Senate candidate Dan Kleban.

Shah said in his statement: sent to xHe said he was “having conversations with my wife, my staff, and Mainers across the state about what happens next and considering whether I should jump into the Senate race.”

Jackson appealed to the Federal Election Commission to investigate a candidacy. Bangor Daily News.

Kleban, the founder of a successful brewery, made a joke using his company’s slogan, ostensibly to express his interest.

“Mainers deserve a Senator who will fight for them against the D.C. establishment and also do the right thing,” he said. X post.