Woman accuses Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexual assault

Woman accuses Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexual assault. Democratic candidate for Senate, who has faced series of scandals, denies allegation reported by Politico. A woman has accused Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for US Senate in Maine, of sexual assault, according to an exclusive report by Politico. Jenny Racicot, 41, dated the oyster farmer former marine veteran and alleges he forced her to have sex despite repeated objections. Platner denied the claims in a statement to Politico. "These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue," he said. Racicot told the outlet she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years. She alleges that in late 2021, an intoxicated Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her. Racicot said she terminated contact after the encounter. Platner, who secured the Democratic nomination and faces the Republican senator Susan Collins in the general election, has faced a series of scandals. In a video message, Platner again said the accusations were false, but that he was mindful of the political reality the accusation will carry. "We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to and the goal of defeating Susan Collins," Platner said. She told Politico she hesitated to make her claim public because she had a "huge moral conflict" between supporting Platner's politics and not supporting him as a person. She also said she did not share the sexual assault claims with the New York Times for their story because she did not want to be known as a rape victim. Platner's campaign said the senatorial candidate "vigorously denies" the claims. "These allegations are very serious and Graham vigorously denies them," the statement said. "They are also coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives. For a year, opponents of this campaign have thrown everything they can at Graham - calling him a Nazi, a war criminal, and a communist. None of it has been true and this is no different. It is not a coincidence that this story comes a week before the ballot deadline, just as the previous false allegations came a week before the primary. Graham began this campaign to fight for a Maine where everyone is treated with dignity and where Mainers are put first, and no amount of desperate smears will stop this movement from seeing that vision through." Should Democrats decide to replace Platner as the party's nominee in the Maine Senate race, Platner would have to drop out by 5pm ET on 13 July, according to state law. The Democratic party will then have a two-week window - until 27 July - to select a replacement candidate. Some top Democratic commentators have already called on the beleaguered nominee to step down. "Platner needs time to heal, focus on his family and well-being. Enough. Enough," said Donna Brazile, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).