Democrats Urge Senate Nominee To Quit

Maine’s Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is now facing calls from within his own party to drop out — after a new sexual assault allegation emerged just weeks before a key withdrawal deadline.

Story Snapshot

A woman named Jenny Rassico told Politico that Platner forced himself on her in late 2021. Politico says it corroborated her account through three interviews, therapist emails, and warning messages she sent to others.
Three women separately described “unsettling” and physically intimidating behavior in their relationships with Platner, according to a New York Times report from June 2026.
Platner’s own former campaign manager publicly withdrew support, and about 30% of Democrats voted against him even as he won the primary with 72% of the vote.
Platner denies all allegations, says he had a “very dark period,” and admits he was “far from a perfect boyfriend” — but his campaign says the scandals are actually boosting fundraising.

New Allegation Rocks an Already Troubled Campaign

Politico published an account from Jenny Rassico, who says Platner forced himself on her in late 2021. Politico says it backed up her story using three separate interviews, messages she sent warning others about Platner, and emails with her therapist. Platner flatly denies the claim, saying any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is “categorically false.” No criminal charges have been filed, and no court has ruled on the matter.

This new allegation comes on top of a June 2026 New York Times report in which three women described relationships with Platner as toxic and, at times, physically intimidating. That same report noted that some women who dated him described him as “fun and considerate” — so the picture is not uniform. Still, the pattern of multiple women coming forward has rattled Democratic insiders and donors who fear what a general election campaign could look like.

Party Fractures in Real Time

Platner won Maine’s Democratic Senate primary on June 9 with about 72% of the vote — more than 143,000 ballots. But roughly 30% of Democrats voted against him even before the latest allegation surfaced. His former campaign manager publicly withdrew support during the primary season. Now, with a state withdrawal deadline looming, some Democrats are openly calling on him to step aside — a striking move against their own nominee.

Not everyone in the party is walking away. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, along with Representative Ro Khanna, have continued to back Platner. They have stressed the importance of hearing all sides and allowing for personal redemption. Their continued support shows just how divided Democrats are — and how hard it is for any party to force a nominee out once voters have spoken.

Deleted Posts and a Candidate Under Pressure

Adding fuel to the fire, Emily’s List surfaced deleted Reddit posts in which Platner reportedly wrote that sexual assault victims should “take some responsibility” and “act like an adult.” Platner has not directly addressed those specific posts. He has acknowledged going through a “very dark period” and has said he was “far from a perfect boyfriend” — but he stops well short of admitting to any of the specific conduct described by the women.

Maine Democrats are calling on their own Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw after a new sexual assault allegation (which he denies).
The left is eating the left once again. Their primary winner is now facing a circular firing squad right before the big race.

— Mike Bales 🫡🇺🇸 (@MikeBales) July 6, 2026

What makes this story worth watching beyond Maine is the broader pattern it fits. American politics has a long track record of misconduct allegations against candidates from both parties — and those allegations rarely result in a candidate stepping down unless the legal system forces the issue or party leadership unites behind a push to exit. Maine’s withdrawal process has a deadline, but enforcement is weak. Platner appears to be calculating that staying in the race — and the fundraising bump the scandals seem to be generating — outweighs the political cost of the controversy. Whether Democratic voters in Maine agree will be tested come November.