Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner said in a video statement Wednesday he was suspending his campaign, clearing the way for Democrats to select a new candidate to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of the most important contests of November’s midterm elections.
Platner’s decision comes after a woman told CNN and Politico he raped her while he was heavily intoxicated nearly five years ago when they were in a casual dating relationship – an allegation Platner denies.
He faced Maine’s July 13 deadline for general election candidates to withdraw from the ballot. The state Democratic Party will now have two weeks to put forward a replacement candidate.
Maine’s Senate race is critical to Democrats’ hopes of winning a Senate majority in November’s midterm elections. The party needs a net gain of four seats — most of which would have to come through wins in red states.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
