Public rape allegation puts pressure on Maine Senate race, Platner rejects accusations

Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, has come under scrutiny after a woman alleged that he raped her in 2021. Platner has categorically denied the claims, calling them false.

According to Jenny Racicot, 41, the incident took place at the end of 2021. She told CNN that Platner went to her home even though she had asked him not to come. Racicot claims he was heavily intoxicated and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

She explained that at the time she did not report the case to police and that she cut off contact with Platner after the incident. Today, she said, she considers what happened to be rape. “Yes, absolutely,” Racicot said when asked whether she considered the incident sexual assault.

Racicot says she decided to speak publicly because of concerns she has about the election process and to give voters more information about the candidate.

Graham Platner’s campaign responded by denying the allegations. In its statement, it described the claims as “very serious” but stressed that the candidate strongly rejects them. Platner also released a video in which he said he would take time to reflect on whether to continue his campaign, emphasizing that the way the case has been reported does not reflect reality.

These allegations come at a key moment for Platner, who is ranked among the leading Democratic candidates in the Maine Senate race. Earlier in the campaign, he faced other criticism related to past behavior, including problems with alcohol and a tattoo with Nazi symbolism. Regarding the latter, he has said he did not know its meaning when he got it and later covered it up.