Woman says Platner assaulted her in 2021, cut off contact
Graham Platner, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee in Maine, denied a sexual assault allegation Monday and said his campaign is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward” after a woman accused him of assaulting her in 2021, according to a report published by Politico.
Jenny Racicot, who lives in Maine, told Politico that Platner entered her home in 2021 while drunk and assaulted her. She said she repeatedly told him to stop and that she believed he was “almost blackout drunk” at the time, according to the Guardian. Racicot said she had been in an on-and-off relationship with Platner but cut off contact with him after that night, the Associated Press reported.
Platner denied the allegations in a statement.
“These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue,” Platner said.
In a video posted to X on Monday, Platner repeated the denial. The campaign said it is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.” Platner canceled several planned campaign appearances ahead of the statement, according to the Associated Press.
The accusation is the latest in a series of personal controversies that have followed Platner since the primary. He has faced scrutiny over reports that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with women while married, past social-media posts containing homophobic slurs and comments dismissive of military sexual assault, and an abuse allegation from a former partner. His wife, Amy Gertner, released a video in June defending him and characterizing media coverage as “shameful.”
Platner won the Democratic nomination in June, defeating Governor Janet Mills and setting up a general election contest against Republican Senator Susan Collins. The race is considered one of the most consequential for control of the Senate, which Republicans currently hold 53-47. Collins is the only GOP incumbent seeking reelection in a state won by Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024.