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Accused of Rape, Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing a new and serious allegation. His former girlfriend, who claims he sexually assaulted her at her home in 2021.

She alleges that she repeatedly told him she did not want him to come over. Platner has categorically denied the accusation, calling it "false" and insisting he has never engaged in non-consensual behavior.

The allegation, first reported by Politico, comes as Platner's campaign has already been under intense scrutiny following previous reports about his personal conduct. The latest accusation has intensified questions about the future of his Senate campaign as he seeks to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

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Platner EX Allegation He is Accused of Rape 

Jenny Racicot, a Maine resident who said she dated Platner in an on-and-off relationship beginning in 2019 after the two met on the dating app Bumble, told Politico that the alleged assault occurred after she texted Platner not to visit her home.

According to Racicot, Platner allegedly arrived anyway, entered her unlocked residence and was heavily intoxicated. She told the publication that she repeatedly refused his advances before the encounter allegedly became non-consensual.

Racicot said she later contacted her therapist and confided in several friends and a subsequent romantic partner about the incident. According to Politico, emails to her therapist, Facebook messages and witness accounts were reviewed as part of its reporting.

She said she did not immediately report the alleged assault to police.

Under Maine law, the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape is 20 years.

Accused of Rape Platner Denies the Claims

Platner has denied the allegations in the strongest terms.

"Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false," he said in a public statement, describing the accusations as "troubling, serious, and false."

Following publication of earlier reports regarding his personal conduct, Platner postponed several campaign events and released a video saying he was reassessing the future of his campaign.

While maintaining that media reports were inaccurate, he acknowledged the political impact the allegations could have on his candidacy and said he was considering "the best path forward."

Growing Scrutiny During Senate Campaign

The new allegation follows several other reports that have placed Platner's campaign under increasing pressure.

Earlier reporting by The New York Times detailed allegations about Platner's past relationships and personal behavior. Racicot was briefly mentioned in that article, but her sexual assault allegation was not included because she had not publicly disclosed it at the time.

Platner's Past Including Being Accused of Rape

Politico later published her account after she decided to speak on the record.

In separate reporting, former acquaintances also alleged troubling comments by Platner, including controversial online posts from years earlier discussing sexual assault and comments that critics say raised additional concerns about his views.

Platner has denied engaging in abusive behavior toward women.

Who Is Graham Platner?

Graham Platner is a Democratic political newcomer, entrepreneur and technology executive who entered Maine's 2026 U.S. Senate race with the goal of challenging longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Before launching his campaign, Platner worked in the technology sector and presented himself as a candidate focused on affordable housing, economic opportunity, healthcare access and campaign finance reform.

His campaign initially attracted attention from progressive activists seeking a new Democratic challenger in Maine. However, the recent allegations have overshadowed many of his policy proposals and raised questions about whether he will remain in the race.

At the time of publication, Platner had not withdrawn his candidacy.

Investigation and Campaign Outlook

Racicot told Politico that she eventually reached out to Platner through Instagram weeks after the alleged incident, telling him the encounter had not been consensual. She said she later deleted the messages as part of an effort to move on with her life and has been unable to recover them.

She also said Platner's repeated public statements denying any history of abusive conduct motivated her to come forward.

No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegation, and no police investigation has been publicly announced.

The allegations emerge during a closely watched Senate race that could draw significant national attention as Democrats seek to unseat Collins in Maine.

Relevant Links

• Politico: https://www.politico.com/
• Maine Legislature – Criminal Statutes: https://legislature.maine.gov/
• Maine Department of Public Safety: https://www.maine.gov/dps/
• Maine Ethics Commission: https://www.maine.gov/ethics/