Senate Democrats Call for Graham Platner to Withdraw from Maine Senate Race Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
Over half of the Senate Democratic caucus has urged Graham Platner to withdraw from the Maine Senate race following allegations of sexual assault made by a woman he once dated. Platner has denied the accusations, but the tide has turned against him, with 31 Democratic senators calling for his withdrawal as of early Tuesday afternoon. Even former allies like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have recommended that Platner step aside in light of the serious allegations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand have also stated that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will not support Platner if he remains in the race. The Maine Democratic Party and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have also called for Platner to exit the race. Despite denying the allegations, Platner is considering his next steps in response to the mounting pressure. Maine Sen. Angus King has chosen not to comment on the situation, while two Democratic senators who previously endorsed Platner, Ruben Gallego and Sheldon Whitehouse, have withdrawn their support without explicitly calling for him to drop out.