Published 22.01
The Democrats’ big name ahead of the midterm elections is accused of rape.
The revelation looks set to spell the end of oyster grower Graham Platner’s campaign for a Senate seat.
Platner has now taken a break.
War veteran and oyster grower Graham Platner, 41, has quickly become one of the Democrats’ strong cards after he won the primary election in the state of Maine in June with a large majority.
Many said he could win the midterm elections in November, taking over the Senate seat from Republican Susan Collins, who has been in the Senate since 1997.
But now his campaign may be over.
On Tuesday Politico published an exposé where ex-girlfriend Jenny Racicot accuses Platner of raping her.
The two were a couple when, in 2021, Platner allegedly came home to Racicot, noticeably under the influence of alcohol, and had sex with her against her will.
– I remember him grabbing me and being very rough. I remember the exact moment when I thought, “This is no longer an election,” she told Politico.
Not the first time
Platner denies the information and calls it “completely untrue”.
His communications team calls the article part of a smear campaign, something they believe Platner has repeatedly been exposed to.
It is not the first time that Platner has been scrutinized for inappropriate behavior.
Two days after he won the primary published the New York Times a major review in which three women told that they had toxic relationships with the 41-year-old.
He also allegedly sent messages of a sexual nature to women while he was married and in one case was physically threatening.
It has also emerged that Platner wrote disparagingly about women online, and had a tattoo that can be interpreted as a Nazi symbol.
He himself has explained that he got the tattoo as an 18-year-old and did not know about the Nazi connection, but has also been open that he struggled with depression and post-traumatic stress.
Increased departure requirements
Despite the media reports, Platner has remained popular. Many have seen him as the working-class voice the Democratic Party needs.
Now, however, luck seems to have turned.
Heavy Democratic allies, such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, have distanced themselves. Departure requirements have been raised.
The 41-year-old has taken a break from campaigning to “reflect”. According to several media outlets, it is only a matter of time before Platner drops out.
In that case, it needs to happen soon. According to the election laws in Maine, Graham Platner needs to leave by July 13 at the latest in order for the party to nominate a new candidate in time.
Former Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer writes in his influential newsletter The Message Box that Platner’s candidacy is over: “I expect him to drop out. Continuing is not an option”.
