Democrat Graham Platner exits key US Senate race, but denies rape allegation

Graham Platner, a scandal-plagued Democratic Senate nominee whose insurgent rise had drawn comparisons to Donald Trump, ended his campaign on Wednesday after a rape allegation threatened to derail one of his party’s best chances of flipping a Republican-held seat.

Platner, a Marine veteran, oysterman and political newcomer, won last month’s Democratic primary in the northeastern state of Maine to face Republican Senator Susan Collins in November’s midterm elections.

His withdrawal gives Maine Democrats only days to regroup in a race central to the party’s hopes of regaining control of the US Senate. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.

“We are suspending campaign operations,” Platner said in a video posted on X. “This is incredibly difficult, because I know that some will think it’s an admission of guilt, and it most certainly is not.”

“I intend to file my paperwork to withdraw,” he added.

Under Maine law, Democrats can replace Platner on the ballot because he quit before a July 13 deadline. The state party has until July 27 to choose a new nominee.