Democrat Graham Platner drops out of key US Senate race in Maine

Graham Platner has suspended his Democratic campaign for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat, citing a series of controversies that have eroded his support base. In a video posted to X on Monday, Platner said the “incredibly difficult” decision followed “false” allegations of sexual misconduct that were publicly aired. Platner, an oyster farmer and former Marine, entered the race with a populist platform centered on progressive policies, affordable housing and criticism of the Democratic establishment. He secured endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and gained early momentum after Governor Janet Mills withdrew her own Senate bid. By Monday night, those endorsements began to unravel. Warren, Representative Ro Khanna, Senator Ruben Gallego and Senator Martin Heinrich each withdrew their support. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Maine Democratic Party also ended their backing. The contest has long been viewed as a pivotal opportunity for Democrats to flip Senate control in the 2024 midterms; no Republican has won a Maine Senate race since 1988. The controversies prompting Platner’s withdrawal include: * A 2023 report that Platner bore a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he later said he had covered up. * Reddit posts in which he urged victims of sexual assault to “take responsibility” and not seek “intoxication.” * A New York Times investigation in June that documented his exchange of sexual messages with married women and corroborated claims that he acknowledged the misconduct. * Allegations from three former girlfriends describing erratic and aggressive behavior toward them. Platner’s announcement arrives just weeks before Maine’s July 13 deadline for filing a replacement candidate, a requirement set by state ballot‑access law. His departure marks the second high‑profile Democratic campaign to end this year amid sexual‑misconduct allegations, following Representative Eric Swalwell’s resignation from the House after similar accusations surfaced. The outcome of the Maine Senate race will carry significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate as the November elections approach.