Schumer and Gillibrand Urge Platner to Step Down from the Race

Calls for Resignation of Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have urged Graham Platner, a Democratic state Senate candidate in Maine, to resign immediately. This comes in light of reports alleging that he broke into a woman’s home and sexually assaulted her.

In a statement, Schumer and Gillibrand described the allegations as “incredibly disturbing.” They emphasized that Platner should withdraw from the race, allowing the Maine Democratic Party to select a new candidate to compete against Senator Susan Collins.

The statement highlighted that “the allegations reported today are deeply disturbing,” asserting that violence and sexual assault are entirely unacceptable. They insisted that Platner step down as a Democratic candidate so that the party can identify a new candidate capable of challenging Collins.

Moreover, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) indicated that they would not support the Maine Senate race if Platner remained on the ballot.

A report noted that Platner allegedly arrived at Jenny Racicot’s home uninvited one night in late 2021, while heavily intoxicated. Racicot recounted that he “forced her to stop, even though she repeatedly asked him to stop.”

“I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being very forceful,” Racicot expressed, saying she felt her choice was taken away in that moment.

Ms. Racicot was among several women who shared their experiences regarding Platner. She described how he had previously shown up drunk at her house after requesting she not visit. His behavior, she said, was “reckless” and “disturbing.”

In light of the allegations, Representative Ro Khanna and Senator Ruben Gallego also withdrew their support for Platner, labeling the accusations as “very serious and credible.”