Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine, is suspending his campaign following sexual assault allegations.
She alleges that in late 2021, an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her.
While calling the reporting inaccurate, he said his campaign was “mindful of the political reality” the accusation “will inflict”.
But the allegations quickly prompted Democrats, including Senate leader Chuck Schumer, to call on Platner to drop out of the race.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee – the party’s main vehicle for fundraising, recruitment, and helping to elect Senate candidates – said it would not spend money on the Maine race if Platner did not withdraw his candidacy.
Democrats have viewed Maine as a crucial opportunity to pick up a US Senate seat and regain control of the upper chamber in US Congress.
“The next Democratic senator for Maine needs to belong to the people of Maine,” he said. »