Jenny Racicot says Graham Platner—a Democrat running against Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine—sexually assaulted her in late 2021. Politico first reported the allegation on July 6, 2026, and other news outlets followed.

Racicot told Politico that she and Platner had dated on and off for more than two years. She says that in late 2021, Platner came to her home drunk, pushed his way inside despite her saying no, and forced her to have sex with him. She ended contact with him immediately after and never filed a police report.

Platner denies what Racicot says happened. He told Politico the allegation is "false" and posted a video on social media repeating that the claim is untrue.

Politico found people who said Racicot told them about the incident—including a therapist she saw and an acquaintance she warned about Platner years before he ran for office. Racicot had also spoken to the New York Times about Platner's past behavior with other women, but she did not mention the assault allegation in that conversation.

His Campaign Was Already Facing Problems

This allegation is not the first controversy Platner has faced. In May 2026, the New York Times reported that Platner had sent sexual messages to other women—something his own wife told his campaign about. In June, news outlets reported that an ex-girlfriend said Platner grabbed her so hard it left marks and pulled her from a taxi. Platner said those claims were made for political reasons.

Platner is a former Marine and oyster farmer. He has also faced criticism over a tattoo linked to Nazi imagery, which he later covered up, and old social media posts.

Despite all these controversies, Platner won the Democratic primary in Maine in June 2026. He appeared at a town hall event where supporters showed up.

Why This Matters

Susan Collins has won election to the Senate multiple times, even though Maine often votes Democratic in presidential races. A Democrat trying to defeat her needs to run a campaign with almost no problems.

Maine uses a special voting system where if no candidate wins outright, voters rank their choices. This system gives independent candidates power, which means any candidate's personal problems are especially harmful.

The sexual assault claim is more serious than the earlier stories about Platner. A specific claim about forced sex with witnesses is different from stories about unwanted touching or inappropriate texts. It is likely to force Democratic leaders to decide whether to keep supporting him or pull back their help.

Since Racicot did not go to police, her allegation will be decided in politics and news coverage, not in court. Maine Democrats now have to choose: keep backing Platner, who has supporters on the ground, or step away from a candidate facing serious accusations.