Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has demanded that Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, immediately withdraw from the race after a woman accused him of sexual assault.
“Now more than ever we need leaders in Washington who reflect our values. There can be no tolerance for sexual assault,” Warren said in a statement.
“Working families are counting on Democrats to win the Senate election in Maine to unrig our economy and hold [President] Donald Trump accountable. With so much at stake, the best path forward is for Graham Platner to step aside as the Democratic nominee and address these serious allegations outside this Senate race.”
Jenny Racicot, a woman who previously dated Platner, said he drunkenly forced her to have sex after she told him to stop, according to reports released Monday. The allegations have led prominent supporters to withdraw their endorsements and placed the party’s must-win Senate race in turmoil.
Warren had endorsed Platner during his primary campaign despite his status as a first-time candidate with a history of controversial social media statements and a Nazi symbol tattooed on his chest.
Platner denied the allegations in a video posted on social media. He is challenging Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), whose seat is considered one of Republicans’ most vulnerable in the 2026 midterms.
“We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” Platner said.
Following the allegations, a joint statement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, demanded that Platner drop out.
“The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing — violence, abuse, and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable,” Schumer and Gillibrand wrote in their statement.
“Graham Platner needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate and allow Maine Democrats the opportunity to choose a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins. The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot,” the statement read.
Under Maine law, Democrats have until July 13 to withdraw Platner from the race. If he does, the state party would have two weeks to select a replacement nominee. The Maine Democratic Party has also called on him to exit the race.
