Two prominent Democratic operatives, Neera Tanden and Shannon Watts, are demanding that Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner step down following a rape allegation that surfaced Monday, as the party scrambles to contain the fallout in a critical race. Tanden, CEO of the Center for American Progress, and Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, have also sharply criticized party leaders who backed Platner despite a history of troubling behavior, including a Nazi tattoo and past inflammatory comments.
The allegation, first reported by Politico, comes from Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend of Platner. Racicot told CNN that Platner raped her while heavily intoxicated after she repeatedly told him to stop. She described the incident as meeting the dictionary definition of rape, and questioned why Platner has a pattern of making comments about sexual assault and rape. Platner has denied the allegations, calling them false, and released a video saying he would reflect on the best path forward for his campaign and the goal of defeating Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Watts expressed fury at party figures who endorsed Platner despite warning signs, including his Totenkopf tattoo, online bigoted and sexist remarks, and past accusations of domestic assault. In a social media post, she named Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Ruben Gallego, Senator Martin Heinrich, and Representative Ro Khanna as having supported him. She wrote, «MAYBE LISTEN TO WOMEN IN THE PARTY YOU F------ IDIOTS!!!!» Watts also criticized the idea of allowing Sanders to handpick a replacement, suggesting that his judgment has been flawed.
Tanden echoed these concerns, urging the party to consider the candidate who won the most votes in the governor's race as a replacement, rather than turning to another progressive like Troy Jackson, who faces his own allegations of a physical altercation with a female colleague. She warned that those who got the party into this mess should not dictate the path forward. Sanders dropped his endorsement of Platner on Tuesday and called on him to step aside, joining a wave of high-profile Democrats who have rescinded their support.
The state Democratic Party has also called on Platner to withdraw, as the Nov. 3 general election approaches. The race against Collins, a moderate Republican, is seen as crucial for Senate control. Platner's campaign has faced multiple scandals, including reports of a Nazi tattoo, racist and sexist online comments, and allegations of infidelity. The rape allegation has intensified pressure on the party to find a viable alternative quickly.
Racicot's interview on CNN added further weight to the allegations, as she described feeling that Platner blamed drunk women for his actions. She noted that his past comments about women and sexual assault suggest a troubling pattern. Platner's video response acknowledged the political reality but did not announce a withdrawal, leaving the party in a state of uncertainty as key deadlines loom.
The controversy has exposed deep divisions within the Democratic Party in Maine, with progressive and moderate factions clashing over the best strategy to unseat Collins. Watts and Tanden's blunt criticism of party leaders reflects broader frustration among female operatives who feel that warning signs were ignored. The outcome could have national implications, as the Senate race is one of the most closely watched in the country.
