{"id":35,"date":"2026-07-08T12:08:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T12:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affairs360.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/08\/sanders-warren-call-for-platner-to-drop-out-of-maine-senate-race-after-latest-allegation\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T12:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T12:08:13","slug":"sanders-warren-call-for-platner-to-drop-out-of-maine-senate-race-after-latest-allegation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affairs360.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/08\/sanders-warren-call-for-platner-to-drop-out-of-maine-senate-race-after-latest-allegation\/","title":{"rendered":"Sanders, Warren call for Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race after latest allegation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Local Democrats are among those calling on Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out of the race following a new allegation from a woman who previously dated him who said he drunkenly forced her to have sex after she told him to stop.<\/a><\/p>\n

Jenny Racicot, who lives in Maine, told Politico<\/a> that Platner entered her home in 2021 while drunk and assaulted her. Racicot said she had been in an on-and-off relationship with Platner, but she cut off contact with him after that night and told him the incident wasn\u2019t consensual.<\/p>\n

Platner denied the allegation, but said he would be considering next steps for his campaign.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday afternoon, The Washington Post published<\/a> a new accusation from Lyndsey Fifield, a former girlfriend who’s previously alleged misconduct from Platner<\/a>, in which she said he had surreptitiously and consensually removed protection while they were having sex. <\/p>\n

Platner’s campaign denied the allegation, which the newspaper confirmed that Fifield had told a friend about at the time. Fifield initially told the Post about the alleged condom removal off the record for an earlier report, but decided to speak out about it now in part to show that Racicot was not alone in her experience, according to the report.<\/p>\n

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of Platner’s earliest and most fervent backers, issued a statement shortly after noon Tuesday calling on Platner to bow out of the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside,” Sanders said.<\/p>\n

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who had campaigned with Platner and supported his bid, was among those who issued statements Monday calling on him to drop out of the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow more than ever we need leaders in Washington who reflect our values. There can be no tolerance for sexual assault,” Warren said. “Working families are counting on Democrats to win the Senate election in Maine to unrig our economy and hold Donald Trump accountable. With so much at stake, the best path forward is for Graham Platner to step aside as the Democratic nominee and address these serious allegations outside this Senate race.”<\/p>\n

NBC10 Boston political commentator Sue O’Connell explains what could happen next after Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner was accused of sexual assault. <\/p>\n

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who had said she would back Platner in a November general election against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, changed her mind after watching Racicot’s CNN interview on Monday night.<\/a><\/p>\n

“Graham Platner should get out of this race now. He should have already,” she said.<\/p>\n

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I watched Jenny Racicot\u2019s brave interview tonight. I believe her and the other survivors who\u2019ve come forward about Graham Platner. <\/p>\n

Graham Platner should get out of this race now. He should have already. <\/p>\n

The people of Maine deserve the opportunity to vote for someone they can\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Maura Healey (@maura_healey) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey offered similar thoughts in a social media post, saying “The allegations reported against Graham Platner are deeply disturbing and must be taken seriously. I cannot support his candidacy.”<\/p>\n

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The allegations reported against Graham Platner are deeply disturbing and must be taken seriously. I cannot support his candidacy.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton, who is running against Markey for Senate, also called on Platner to drop out.<\/p>\n

“Jenny Racicot chose truth over political convenience, despite deeply believing in the progressive goals Graham Platner espoused,” he said. “Her account must be believed and respected, and we must honor her courage.”<\/p>\n

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Jenny Racicot chose truth over political convenience, despite deeply believing in the progressive goals Graham Platner espoused. Her account must be believed and respected, and we must honor her courage. These are serious, disturbing allegations. Graham Platner must formally drop\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

“It is so important to listen to, and believe survivors,” Massachusetts Congresswoman Tram Nguyen said. “If we are to be the party that supports those who come forward and call for accountability, it must be for both Republicans and Democrats. I cannot support any candidate with such allegations against them and call for Platner to drop out immediately.”<\/p>\n

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New Hampshire Congressman and Senate candidate Chris Pappas called the allegations against Platner “reprehensible,” and said he must step aside.<\/p>\n

New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen also weighed in, saying Platner “must end his campaign immediately.”<\/p>\n

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The accusations against Graham Platner are appalling and disqualifying. I stand with all of the women affected and commend their bravery in speaking out.<\/p>\n

Graham Platner must end his campaign immediately.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeanne Shaheen (@JeanneShaheen) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner called the allegations “credible and appalling,” and said Platner should withdraw and the Maine Democratic Party should nominate a candidate “who is vetted and experienced to represent Maine in the Senate.”<\/p>\n

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Pundits and consultants are already posting takes on who the new Maine Senate nominee should be.<\/p>\n

Advice: let the Maine Dem Party work it out. They know who has the judgement & integrity for the job, who\u2019s electable and who has skeletons, way more than out of state \u201cexperts\u201d do.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Seth Magaziner (@SethMagaziner) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Fellow Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo said Platner “must immediately withdraw as a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine” in light of the latest allegations.<\/p>\n

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s campaign team also put out a statement calling the allegations against Platner “deeply disturbing,” and calling on Platner to step down.<\/p>\n

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The allegations against Graham Platner are deeply disturbing, and Jenny Racicot has shown us incredible courage. This race is too important to future of the country.<\/p>\n

Maine voters need a Democratic nominee focused on one thing: defeating Susan Collins. Graham Platner should step\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 McKee Campaign Team (@DanMcKeeRI) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal called the sexual assault allegation “serious, credible, and disqualifying.” He said Platner should “withdraw immediately. The sooner, the better,” and added that there is “no way he can continue his candidacy credibly.”<\/p>\n

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont agreed, saying he thinks Platner should “step aside.”<\/p>\n

Hannah Pingree, the Democratic nominee for Maine governor, also weighed in.<\/p>\n

“For Maine, for the future of control of the US Senate, and because no party should stand behind a candidate facing allegations of assault, Graham Platner should exit the race immediately,” she said. “Democrats need a nominee who can beat Susan Collins in November. Graham Platner is no longer that candidate.”<\/p>\n

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My statement on Graham Platner:<\/p>\n

These allegations are deeply disturbing. Jenny Racicot is a woman who has shown real courage in sharing her story \u2014 what she’s describing is serious, credible and cannot be dismissed.<\/p>\n

For Maine, for the future of control of the US Senate, and\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Hannah Pingree (@PingreeHannah) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Collins issued only a brief statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese allegations are appalling,\u201d she said. \u201cNevertheless, it is not up to me to choose the Democratic nominee for Senate.\u201d<\/p>\n

State law allows Platner to be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws by July 13. The replacement candidate must be named by July 27. <\/p>\n

As of Monday, Platner had canceled a handful of campaign town halls planned in Maine but he was said to still be undecided on Tuesday morning about whether to drop out of the race.<\/p>\n

Chatter has already begun to circulate about other possible replacements, including former state senator and logger Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.<\/p>\n

The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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