AUGUSTA, Maine — Graham Platner has officially dropped out of the Maine Senate race, suspending his Democratic campaign just days before a critical ballot deadline. The decision comes in the wake of severe sexual assault and rape allegations, which the candidate vehemently denies, but ultimately forces his exit to allow the party to field a new challenger against Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
Platner announced his withdrawal in a video posted to his social media on Wednesday. The move arrives exactly five days before a crucial July 13 deadline; had he missed it, Maine Democrats would have been locked into keeping him on the general election ballot without the ability to name a replacement.
Following a recently published news report detailing the accusations against him, Platner had previously dismissed the claims as entirely false. In his latest video address, he doubled down on his denial.
“The things that were claimed did not happen. It’s not real,” Platner stated, adding that the situation has placed an immense personal weight on him and his partner, Amy. He described himself and his partner as regular people who never desired to enter the political arena or run for public office.
According to Platner, he first learned of the accusations through press inquiries, which left him with no time to properly respond or investigate. He argued that the corporate media and the political establishment immediately stepped in to act as “judge, jury, and executioner.”
However, Platner insisted that the timing of the controversy is highly calculated. He noted that the allegations are being weaponized by the political establishment to apply structural pressure, pointing out that the July 13 deadline marked the final week to remove him from the ballot.
“We live in a political system that is not built for normal people,” Platner argued, describing a system structurally designed to crush grassroots movements once they begin to succeed.
While he maintains his innocence regarding the allegations, Platner explained that his departure is not an admission of guilt. Instead, he is stepping aside because those in power are systematically dismantling his campaign’s infrastructure. He claimed that national party organizations, larger political groups, and major donor networks have committed to spending zero dollars on his race. Furthermore, he stated that these entities would rather see Senator Collins win re-election than allow him to serve as Maine’s next senator.
This financial and structural boycott means the campaign is losing its ability to fundraise and access essential voter data—basic necessities for any campaign to function.
“For the movement to continue, it can’t be me,” Platner said, emphasizing his immense responsibility to the volunteers, grassroots donors, and voters who helped him secure a massive victory in the June 9 primary. That primary saw over 150,000 votes cast for him, marking the largest turnout in the history of Maine primaries. He framed that victory as a definitive rejection of the donor class and entrenched political forces.
Looking ahead, Platner stressed that the process for selecting a new Democratic nominee must be open, transparent, and democratic. He warned against backroom deals, stating that “party apparatchiks” should not be making the decisions.
“People in DC need to stay in DC,” he urged, insisting that the replacement candidate must reflect the values of the grassroots supporters who built the movement.
Reflecting on his platform, Platner reiterated the core goals of his campaign: expanding healthcare, ending a genocide, redirecting taxpayer dollars to uplift domestic communities rather than waging war overseas, establishing a fair system, eradicating political corruption, and achieving real democracy.
Platner confirmed his intention to officially file his withdrawal paperwork. He concluded his address by expressing his deep love for the state and its residents, noting that while his name may currently be on the ballot, that ballot line ultimately belongs to the people of Maine.
“My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine,” Platner said. “And on November 3rd, it needs to belong to the people of Maine.”
Signing off, he expressed immense pride in what his campaign had accomplished against a heavily entrenched political system, leaving his supporters with a final message of encouragement: “Keep fighting. We’re going to win someday.”
