Graham Platner Formally Drops Out of Maine Senate Race After Sexual Assault Allegations Emerge

HuffPost—Democrat Graham Platner formally withdrew from the Maine Senate race, ending a campaign that collapsed after multiple sexual assault allegations surfaced. Platner waited until the last possible moment to make his withdrawal official, frustrating Democratic Party officials who had urged him to step aside days earlier. The candidate had initially denied the allegations but ultimately concluded his continued presence in the race was untenable. Democrats will now need to scramble to identify an alternative candidate in what had been seen as a winnable Senate seat heading into the general election.

• HuffPost — Platner delayed his formal withdrawal until the last minute despite party pressure to exit sooner.
• HuffPost — Politics — Platner officially drops out of the Maine Senate race after the sexual assault allegations.
• HuffPost — Politics — Graham Platner Waiting Until Last Minute To Formally Withdraw From Senate Race: Reports
• NBC News — Politics — Platner initially denied the sexual assault claims while weighing 'best path forward' in the race.
• The Hill — Platner announced he will formally withdraw from the Maine Senate race on Monday.
• Breitbart — Platner told staff he would officially end his Senate bid on Monday.