Platner Senate campaign responds to sexual assault allegation
Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner during a primary election night event at the Blue Hill YMCA on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Blue Hill, Maine, USA.
Graeme Sloan | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner said Monday he was “taking time to reflect” about his campaign moving forward after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021.
Platner and his campaign have denied the accusations made by 41-year-old Maine resident Jenny Racicot. Policy Article published on Monday. Politico reported that he accused Platner of sexual assault. Platner is a former sailor and oysterman who is sprinting for his party’s nomination this year with a populist, progressive message.
In a video sent to x Minutes after the Politico story broke, Platner denied the report but said the campaign was “taking time to consider the best path forward” and is challenging incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, for a hotly contested seat.
“I wanted to directly address the disturbing, serious and unfounded allegations against me. Any accusation of non-consensual conduct is categorically false,” Platner said. “This movement we have built — the largest volunteer base in the history of Maine politics, hundreds of thousands of grassroots donors, supporters across the ideological spectrum — we are united in a love of Maine, a belief that our politics must change, and a focus on defeating Susan Collins.”
Platner has not said he will withdraw from the campaign, but pressure to do so is almost certain to come. Platner defeated Maine’s incumbent Governor Janet Mills in the Democratic primary.
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