President Donald Trump weighed in Wednesday on the sexual assault allegation against Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, as state Democrats moved to replace him on the November ballot.
Trump Comments After Platner Says Campaign Cannot Continue
Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, said Wednesday that he would suspend campaign operations after Jenny Racicot, a woman who said she previously dated him, accused him of sexual assault. Platner has denied the allegation. He said his decision to leave the race was not an admission of guilt and argued that the movement behind his campaign should continue without him.
His exit immediately reshaped one of the most closely watched Senate races of 2026. Democrats had viewed Maine as a major opportunity because Republican Sen. Susan Collins is seeking another term. Trump said Democrats faced a hard choice because Platner had already won the primary. He also said Platner was “in a bind” and suggested he would likely lose if he stayed in the race.
Racicot Alleges Assault During Prior Relationship
Racicot said she met Platner through Bumble in 2019 and dated him on and off for about two years. She alleged that he came to her home in late 2021 after she told him not to visit. She said he entered through an unlocked door and initiated a sexual encounter after she had said no. Platner denied the claim and called any accusation of non-consensual behavior false.
The allegation has not been proven in court. No reported court finding has established that Platner committed sexual assault. Racicot said she had stayed quiet for years because she wanted privacy. She said she decided to speak publicly because voters deserved to know about the allegation before the general election.
Democratic Support Collapses After Allegation
Platner’s political support fell apart quickly after Racicot’s allegation became public. Several Democrats who had endorsed or praised his campaign moved away from him. Sen. Bernie Sanders said he spoke with Platner and recommended that he step aside. Rep. Ro Khanna withdrew his endorsement and said sexual assault or violence against women was a “red line.”
Other Democrats also distanced themselves from the campaign. Party officials faced the risk of entering the general election with a nominee under a serious unresolved allegation. Platner had already faced scrutiny before Racicot’s allegation. Earlier controversies involved past online comments and a tattoo critics linked to Nazi imagery.
Maine Democrats Prepare Emergency Nomination Process
The Maine Democratic Party said more than 100 state committee members voted Wednesday to hold a convention if a vacancy opened in the Senate race. Party leaders said they would release the timeline, candidate requirements, and participation rules soon. They said the process would need to be transparent and democratic.
Under the state timeline, Platner must formally withdraw by 5 p.m. on July 13 for Democrats to replace him on the general election ballot. The party must name a replacement nominee by July 27. That leaves Democrats with little time to settle internal divisions. Platner’s campaign had built deep support among progressives, veterans and working-class voters.
Possible Candidates Begin Moving Toward Race
Several Democrats have already emerged as possible replacements. Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson has expressed interest in the nomination. Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, has also stepped forward. Shah said Platner’s supporters would have a place in his campaign.
Other possible contenders include Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban, state lawmaker Valli Geiger, progressive activist Jordan Wood, and social worker Paige Loud. The field remains fluid because the vacancy process has not fully played out. Any candidate entering now must build a campaign under severe time pressure.
Collins Gains Room as Democrats Reset
Collins now enters a stronger phase of the race. She has represented Maine for decades and has survived difficult campaigns before. Her campaign can watch Democrats fight through a rushed nomination process. Republicans can also use Platner’s collapse to criticize Democratic vetting and party judgment.
