Democrats across the country are rushing to condemn Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner and urge him to exit the race in the aftermath of allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman he once dated, creating a crisis for the party as it seeks to retake control of the US Senate.

The allegation was first reported by Politico, which published an account from Jenny Racicot, a woman who previously dated Platner. Racicot alleges that Platner sexually assaulted her in 2021 after entering her home while intoxicated and ignoring her repeated requests for him to stop. Platner has categorically denied the allegation, describing it as false and politically motivated, and has said he is considering the future of his campaign.

Despite the denial, Democratic leaders moved swiftly to distance themselves from the embattled nominee, with several high-profile lawmakers who initially backed Platner calling on him to drop out.

“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement,” wrote Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA).

Khanna had established himself in recent months as one of Platner’s most ardent backers, flying to Maine to campaign for the nominee and praising his economic populism and his opposition to what Platner has called a “genocide” in Gaza. Some observers have suggested that Khanna’s support for Platner stemmed from a desire to consolidate the Democratic Party’s left flank ahead of an anticipated presidential campaign.

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) also rescinded his endorsement and urged Platner to withdraw, arguing that the seriousness of the allegation left the nominee unable to continue his campaign effectively.

“The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious. I am rescinding my endorsement,” Gallego wrote on X.

Both Khanna and Gallego had defended Platner in June, when the nominee was embroiled in an earlier scandal over allegations that he sent sexually explicit photographs to women and engaged in troubling behavior with several romantic partners.

The party’s national leadership piled on. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued a joint statement calling on Platner to exit the race.

“Graham Platner needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate and allow Maine Democrats the opportunity to choose a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins,” the pair wrote.

“Maine Democrats should select a new nominee,” Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin added, while the Maine Democratic Party released a statement within hours calling on Platner to drop out, citing “serious, credible allegations” against him.

The cascade of defections marked one of the fastest political collapses for a major party nominee in recent years. Party officials emphasized that allegations of sexual assault must be taken seriously and that the party must maintain consistency with its long-standing emphasis on supporting survivors and holding public officials accountable.

Progressive organizations, many of which had championed Platner’s insurgent campaign against the Democratic establishment during the primary, also largely abandoned him. Our Revolution, a far-left political action committee (PAC) aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), withdrew its endorsement while urging the party to replace Platner with a similarly progressive nominee.

“Following the most recent credible reporting regarding allegations of sexual assault against Graham Platner, Our Revolution is withdrawing its endorsement of his US Senate campaign in Maine and calling on him to withdraw from the race,” the organization wrote.

Progressive media figures — including Pod Save America host Jon Favreau, streamer Hasan Piker, and pundits Krystal Ball and Jack Cocchiarella — likewise urged Platner to step aside, arguing that the latest revelations were too severe to overlook. A handful of supporters urged caution until additional facts emerge, but the overwhelming response was that Platner should exit to avoid undermining the party’s credibility on sexual violence and women’s rights.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), Platner’s most outspoken critic within the party, said he was not surprised by the scandal and called on the lawmakers who boosted Platner to apologize.

“I would really call [on] Bernie Sanders to apologize for pushing this kind of predator more than anyone,” Fetterman said Monday on Fox News. “He helped him [become the Democratic nominee], and now [he should] apologize to the victims, especially the woman that… claimed that he raped her. I don’t know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people.”

The scandal has placed Democrats in a difficult position. Platner had been viewed as one of the party’s strongest opportunities to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in a closely watched race that could influence control of the US Senate. Party leaders now face the possibility of replacing their nominee before state deadlines expire while attempting to minimize the damage in a contest previously considered highly competitive.

The controversy has also revived scrutiny of Platner’s earlier controversies, including past online comments that praised the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas and expressed contempt for sexual assault victims — incidents that generated concern among Democratic officials during the primary. Critics within the party argue these warning signs should have prompted a more exhaustive vetting process before Platner became the nominee.

Platner also found himself embroiled in scandal last year after downplaying revelations that he possessed a tattoo resembling a symbol of the Schutzstaffel (SS), the Nazi paramilitary organization responsible for large-scale atrocities against millions of Jews and other victims in Europe during World War II. Platner subsequently covered up the tattoo. Although he denied knowing its meaning, a former romantic partner reportedly told friends months before the scandal broke that he had a Nazi-related tattoo.

Platner rose to prominence within the party’s progressive wing in large part because of his outspoken condemnations of Israel and his calls for significant changes to US policy toward the country. An oyster farmer, he launched his campaign in late summer 2025 with splashy digital ads accusing Israel of committing a “genocide” in Gaza, accused the Jewish state of “exterminating” people during campaign stops, and vowed to vote against sending it additional aid. He drew further outrage after releasing a statement marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, slaughters carried out across southern Israel by Hamas, in which he condemned the terrorist group for “war crimes” but went on to accuse Israel of igniting a “genocide” in Gaza.

As pressure mounts, Platner’s decision on whether to continue is expected to determine whether Democrats attempt to nominate a replacement in one of the most consequential Senate races of the 2026 election cycle.