Schumer and Gillibrand Urge Platner to Withdraw from Maine Senate Race
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, have called on Graham Platner to “immediately withdraw” from the Maine Senate race. This follows serious allegations of rape made against him by his ex-girlfriend.
The New York Democratic Party expressed their concerns in a statement from the DSCC, stating, “The allegations reported today are deeply disturbing. Violence, abuse, and sexual assault are completely unacceptable.”
Schumer and Gillibrand emphasized that Platner should step down to allow the Maine Democratic Party to select a new candidate capable of defeating incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
The senators cautioned that the Democratic Party’s campaign and fundraising resources would not be available for the Maine Senate race if Platner remained a candidate.
Maine is viewed as a significant opportunity for Senate Democrats in the 2026 election cycle.
Previously, Schumer and Gillibrand had backed Platner’s Democratic opponent, Maine Governor Janet Mills, before she exited the primary race. They also supported Platner after he met with Senate Democrats last month, following revelations in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal regarding suggestive messages exchanged with multiple women.
Despite emerging allegations of physical and emotional abuse from former candidates in a New York Times article last month, the DSCC and Schumer had continued to support Platner.
Recently, Jenny Racicot, Platner’s ex-girlfriend, accused him of a rape incident that occurred nearly five years ago, where he reportedly entered her home while intoxicated.
Schumer and Gillibrand’s calls for Platner to step aside join a chorus of Democrats urging his withdrawal from the race against Collins. Notably, Maine Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and others have echoed this sentiment.
In response to the allegations, Platner has denied them, labeling the claims as “false,” but mentioned that he would take time to “consider the best path forward.”
