A sexual assault allegation against Graham Platner, the Democratic challenger to Sen. Susan Collins in Maine's pivotal Senate race, has prompted prominent progressive candidates nationwide to call for his immediate withdrawal.
Politico published an account Monday alleging that Platner raped an ex-girlfriend. Within hours, Senate candidates James Talarico of Texas, Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, Mary Peltola of Alaska, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota released statements demanding Platner's withdrawal.
However, these same figures had remained publicly silent following earlier reporting about Platner's conduct. In June, The New York Times published an investigation detailing what it described as Platner's "unsettling" behavior in social settings, particularly those involving alcohol. The reporting included accounts of alleged intimidation and patterns of conduct that multiple sources characterized as predatory.
Neither Talarico, El-Sayed, Peltola, Brown nor Flanagan issued public statements after the Times article, despite running on progressive platforms emphasizing accountability for sexual misconduct.
Platner's own statement did not categorically deny the allegation. Instead, he called the reporting "inaccurate" while acknowledging "the political reality it will inflict." He promised reflection on "the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to and the goal of defeating Susan Collins."
The Maine Democratic Party has disavowed Platner's campaign, though it also remained silent after the Times investigation. Under Maine law, if Platner withdraws by July 13, the state party has until July 27 to nominate a replacement.
Collins, the incumbent Republican, said in a brief statement: "These allegations are appalling. Nevertheless, it is not up to me to choose the Democratic nominee for Senate."
Platner's campaign had explicitly centered on building a "growing progressive coalition." That coalition's abandonment of him came only after the Politico story generated widespread media coverage and pressure.
