“I’m just here to tell my story to give a clearer picture of who he is and the type of past he has,” said an ex-girlfriend of Graham Platner.
By World Israel News Staff
Democratic leaders are calling on Graham Platner, the party’s nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine, to withdraw from the race after a former girlfriend publicly accused him of raping her in 2021.
The allegations emerged Monday when Jenny Racicot, 41, said in a CNN interview that Platner forced his way into her home and had sex with her against her will, approximately two years after the pair began dating.
During the interview, Racicot was asked directly whether she considered the encounter to be rape.
“Absolutely yes,” she replied.
Racicot emphasized that she is a registered Democrat who shares many of Platner’s views, arguing that her decision to come forward was not motivated by partisan politics or ideological disagreements.
“I’m just here to tell my story to give a clearer picture of who he is and the type of past he has,” she said. “I just think it’s fair to the democratic process to let people know who they are voting for.”
Platner, who has attracted attention during his campaign for his outspoken criticism of Israel, denied Racicot’s account in a video posted to X shortly after the allegations became public.
While rejecting her version of events, he stopped short of confirming whether he intended to remain in the Senate race.
Instead, Platner said he is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.”
The allegations prompted an immediate response from senior Democratic officials, many of whom quickly distanced themselves from the nominee and urged him to step aside.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who chairs Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, issued a joint statement calling on Platner to withdraw.
The two lawmakers said he should “immediately” leave the race so Democratic leaders can select a replacement nominee before the general election.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who had previously endorsed Platner, also announced he was rescinding his support.
“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna wrote. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race.”
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