Democratic Party leaders have called on Graham Platner to withdraw as their nominee for the US Senate race in Maine after media reports surfaced accusing him of forcibly having sex with a woman nearly five years ago. The allegations, first reported by Politico and later detailed by CNN, include claims that Platner entered the woman's home without permission and raped her while intoxicated.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), stated that the DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot. Platner has denied the accusations, saying in a statement, “We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” without specifying whether he would suspend or end his campaign.

The Maine Senate seat held by Republican Susan Collins is a critical target for Democrats in their bid to win majority control of the Senate in the November 3 midterm elections. Currently, Republicans hold 53 Senate seats to the Democrats' 47, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the 100-member chamber.

Following the reports, Democratic leaders in Maine and members of Congress have withdrawn their support for Platner’s candidacy.

Sources