Graham Plattner, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for Maine, during a primary election night event at the Blue Hill YMCA in Blue Hill, Maine, U.S., on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Graeme Sloane Bloomberg | getty images
Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Plattner said Monday he is taking “time to reflect” on how to proceed with his 2021 campaign after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021.
Plattner, 41, and his campaign denied the allegations made by 41-year-old Maine resident Jenny Racicot politico The article was published on Monday. Politico reported that she accused Plattner of sexual harassment. Plattner is a Marine veteran and seaman who entered his party’s nomination this year with a populist, progressive message.
in a video Posted on x Minutes after Politico’s story was published, Plattner declined reporting, but said the campaign was “taking time to reflect on the best path forward” as he challenges incumbent Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, for a highly competitive seat.
Plattner said, “I wanted to directly address the disturbing, serious and false allegations made against me. Any allegations of non-consensual conduct are categorically false.” “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 were united in a love of Maine, a belief that our politics must change and a focus on defeating Susan Collins.”
Plattner has not said he will drop out of the campaign, although pressure to do so is almost certain. Plattner defeated outgoing Maine Governor Janet Mills in the June Democratic primary.
Racicot told Politico that she had an on-again, off-again relationship with Plattner for two years, before he barged into her home uninvited while intoxicated in 2021 and forced himself on her over her objections. Racicot said she remembered Plattner “grabbing my pelvis and being very forceful with me” and that she then cut off communication with him.
Politico confirmed Racicot’s description of the man, whom she began dating after Plattner was a friend and acquaintance. He also shared correspondence with his therapist with the publication.
The allegations are the latest in a series of allegations of malfeasance made by Plattner that have shaken Democrats who are eager to defeat Collins in Maine. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won Maine by nearly 8 points in 2024, and winning the state’s Senate seat is critical to any Democratic hopes of winning back the Senate in 2026.
the new York Times It was reported in June that several women who dated Plattner recalled “volatile” behavior, but that article did not include allegations of sexual assault. That article included an excerpt from Racicot’s story, but said he “refused to elaborate” on what happened after he arrived at her home drunk.
Plattner also had a tattoo that strongly resembled a Nazi symbol which was covered up earlier in the campaign after photos of the tattoo were made public. He said he got the tattoo while serving in the Marines and denied knowing its Nazi connotations.
Plattner has repeatedly drawn on his story of military service and resulting PTSD to explain his former behavior.
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