Multiple Democrats are calling for Graham Platner to drop out of the Maine Senate race, including some who previously endorsed him, following new sexual assault allegations against him that he denies.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who chairs the Democrats’ Senate campaign arm, released a joint statement saying Platner should “immediately withdraw.”
“The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing — violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable,” Schumer and Gillibrand wrote on behalf of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot.”
Earlier, Platner lost key supporters in Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who announced that they were rescinding their endorsements.
“The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious. I am rescinding my endorsement,” Gallego wrote on X.
“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement,” Khanna wrote on X.
Khanna has previously campaigned for Platner, and said last month that the nominee should apologize to women following a previous report in which three former girlfriends described Platner’s behavior as “toxic” and “unsettling.” Gallego previously stood by Platner following reports from May that he had sent sexually explicit texts to women outside his marriage.
Progressive Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey also withdrew his endorsement, writing on X: “The allegations reported against Graham Platner are deeply disturbing and must be taken seriously. I cannot support his candidacy.”
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who had not endorsed Platner, also called on him to leave the race.
“He should do the right thing, drop out quickly, and give Maine Democrats the opportunity to select a new nominee who can compete and win in November,” Slotkin wrote.
Meanwhile, the Maine Democratic Party called on Platner to withdraw his candidacy. “Over the past several weeks, multiple women have made serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner. Today’s statements take those allegations even further,” it said in a statement.
The lawmakers’ withdrawal of support comes as Platner has denied the allegation of sexual assault but said he is weighing the “best path forward.”