Platner says campaign is reassessing after 2021 assault allegation
The Democratic nominee for Maine’s Senate race denied a sexual assault allegation reported by Politico and said his campaign is reflecting on its next steps.
By Sarah Jenkins · Chief Macro Economics Correspondent
· 2 min read
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, said Monday that his campaign is reassessing its course after Politico reported that a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021. Platner and his campaign denied the accusation, according to the report, while Platner said in a video on X that the campaign was taking “time to reflect” on what it should do next.
Politico identified the woman as Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident, and reported that she accused Platner of sexual assault. No further details about the alleged incident were provided in the material reported by CNBC.
Platner responded shortly after Politico published its story, posting a video on X in which he denied the reporting. In that same video, he said the campaign was “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” CNBC reported.
The allegation arrives after Platner won the Democratic nomination in Maine this year. He is a Marine veteran and oysterman who built his campaign around a populist and progressive message, according to CNBC.
His primary campaign had already drawn attention over questions about past conduct, CNBC reported, alongside issues that voters had identified as central to the race. Platner appeared at a primary election night event at the Blue Hill YMCA in Blue Hill, Maine, on June 9, according to a Bloomberg photograph cited by CNBC.
Campaign implications
The immediate political effect is that the Democratic nominee’s campaign is now publicly addressing a serious allegation while weighing its next steps. Platner’s statement did not announce a suspension, withdrawal or continuation under new terms, based on the information reported by CNBC.
For campaigns, allegations of personal misconduct can force rapid decisions on public messaging, donor relations, staffing and ballot strategy. In this case, the confirmed facts are narrower: Politico reported the accusation, Platner and his campaign denied it, and Platner said the campaign was reflecting on how to proceed.
CNBC described the situation as breaking news and said updates were expected. As of the reported account, no additional statements from Racicot, Platner’s campaign or Democratic Party officials were included.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.
