Accusations of Sexual Assault Lead to Calls for Senate Candidate to Withdraw

Democrat Graham Platner is under pressure to withdraw from the Maine Senate race following allegations of sexual assault by Jenny Racicot. Racicot detailed the incident during an interview on CNN with host Jake Tapper. She accused Platner of assaulting her at her home in 2021.

Racicot described the encounter as rape, recalling a struggle that ended with a sewing cabinet being knocked over and a needle becoming lodged in her leg. She expressed that the traumatic event is something she tried to forget for years.

This is something that I tried for many years to forget, Racicot said.

Platner denied the accusations, calling them categorically false in a social media video. Meanwhile, Racicot shared her experience of meeting Platner in 2019, describing him as intelligent and charming, yet also someone who self-medicated with alcohol.

In 2021, Platner texted Racicot that he intended to visit her. She responded, requesting him not to come over, but assumed he understood after not hearing back. However, Platner arrived at her house later without an invitation, entering through an unlocked door. Racicot recounted that he jumped on top of her on the couch, signaling intentions of a sexual nature.