Minnesota Democrats are calling on Democrat Graham Platner to drop his campaign for U.S. Senate in Maine. Those calls come just hours after Platner was accused Monday of rape.
“I believe Jenny,” Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan wrote in a Monday social media post. “Graham Platner should not be Democrats’ nominee for U.S. Senate.”
Flanagan was referring to Jenny Racicot, an ex-girlfriend of Platner’s who accused the Maine Democrat of raping her in 2021. According to Racicot, Platner entered her home one night without permission, was drunk, and raped her.
In a video statement, Platner denied Racicot’s allegation but said his campaign is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to, and the goal of defeating Susan Collins.”
Collins is a longtime Republican U.S. senator from Maine whom Platner is challenging.
News of Racicot’s allegation broke Monday. In the ensuing hours, many Democrats across the country called on Platner to drop out. Among them was U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus, who called on Platner to “immediately withdraw.”
In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz said “the allegations of sexual assault against Graham Platner are deeply disturbing. He should drop out and make way for a candidate that can defeat Susan Collins in November.”
Just two months ago, Walz was in Maine campaigning for Platner.
Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig also called on Platner to drop out, saying “under no circumstance should he be Maine’s Democratic Senate nominee.”
Craig and Flanagan are both seeking the DFL nomination for U.S. Senate in Minnesota. Platner expressed his support for Flanagan just a week ago.
Additionally, Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee and former chair of the Minnesota DFL, said Platner should drop out and Maine Democrats “should select a new nominee for U.S. Senate who can beat Susan Collins in November.”
Prior to Monday’s allegation, Platner came under heavy criticism related to his past social media posts and a since-covered tattoo that bore a likeness to a Nazi symbol. Platner said he was unaware that his tattoo was a Nazi-linked symbol.
Nevertheless, Democrats stood by Platner who became their U.S. Senate nominee in June. Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith told the Wall Street Journal early last month that she remained “excited” about Platner’s candidacy. Late Monday, Smith called for Platner to drop out in a comment to the Star Tribune.
After Platner became the Democratic nominee, an ex-girlfriend accused him of physically aggressive behavior such as twisting her arm and shoving her in a room. Platner denied that allegation and Democrats again stood by Platner.
Now, Democrats are deserting Platner in droves after the rape allegation was made public. Just today, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders called on Platner to drop out.
According to the New York Post, the Maine Democratic Party would be able to select a new nominee for U.S. Senate if Platner drops out by 5 p.m. on July 13.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
