Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner forced a woman to have sex with him in late 2021 despite her repeatedly objecting, the woman told Politico in a story published M onday.
Platner called the accusation “categorically untrue.” The accusation is the most serious yet against Platner, who is running against Republican Sen. Susan Collins after winning the Democratic nomination in June with more than 70% of votes over two other candidates, including Gov. Janet Mills.
The woman, 41-year-old Jenny Racicot, said she dated Platner on and off for more than two years before the alleged assault. She told the outlet he entered her home uninvited while intoxicated and had sex with her as she repeatedly told him to stop.
“These allegations are troubling, serious, and false,” Platner said in a statement to POLITICO. “Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue.”
Politico said it reviewed emails between Racicot and her therapist referencing the alleged assault, along with 2023 Facebook messages in which Racicot warned an acquaintance against getting involved with Platner, describing him as “consensually careless.”
The outlet also interviewed a man Racicot dated afterward, who said she confided matching details, and a friend she told last summer before Platner launched his campaign.
Racicot had previously told The New York Times last month only that Platner’s behavior was “reckless” and “unsettling,” without describing an assault. She told Politico she came forward after the Times story’s fallout centered largely on another accuser, Lyndsey Fifield, and her Republican ties.
The Platner campaign, in a statement to Politico, called the allegations “coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives” and noted the story’s coming a week before Maine’s ballot deadline. Cheyenne Hunt, a Democratic lawyer and activist who was instrumental in raising sexual assault allegations against former California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell, connected Racicot with Politico.
Platner’s campaign looked to be girding for the story on Monday. He postponed multiple campaign events Sunday and Monday amid rumors the story was coming.