If you or someone you know needs resources or support related to sexual violence, contact the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s 24/7 hotline at 800-871-7741.
AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree called on Graham Platner to leave the U.S. Senate race immediately Monday, becoming the most prominent Maine Democrat yet to demand his exit.
Pingree’s statement, combined with calls from the Maine Democratic Party and the Senate campaign arm call earlier Monday for Platner to withdraw, makes clear that he faces a situation with no precedent in Maine politics: his party’s leadership and its highest-profile 2026 nominee breaking with him publicly, leaving him little room to continue as the nominee.
“These allegations are deeply disturbing,” Pingree said. “Jenny Racicot is a woman who has shown real courage in sharing her story — what she’s describing is serious, credible and cannot be dismissed.”
Pingree’s statement came hours after Politico reported that Racicot accused Platner of sexually assaulting her in 2021, an allegation Platner has denied. He opened the door to leaving the race in a video posted Monday, saying he was taking time to reflect on the ability to continue.
Both he and his party are on the clock. He has until 5 p.m. July 13 to decide whether to withdraw while maintaining his party’s spot on the ballot. If he does, Democrats would have until July 27 to name a replacement.
Pingree was in a Platner-backed progressive alliance alongside former Senate President Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. It helped her past one-time frontrunner Nirav Shah in the ranked-choice primary decided last month. Pingree was endorsed by Gov. Janet Mills but embraced Platner as the party’s U.S. Senate nominee after Mills exited in April.
In Pingree’s statement, she said Democrats need a nominee who can beat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November and that Platner’s political coalition could transfer to someone else.
“Graham Platner tapped into something real — voters hungry for change showed up with real passion and energy,” Pingree said. “That energy doesn’t have to go away. It needs a new candidate to carry it forward.”
Pingree’s statement came minutes after one from Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles, who called on the Democrat to disavow Platner. Charles said Pingree “has a judgment problem.”