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Schumer and Gillibrand urge Maine Democrat Graham Platner to withdraw after sexual assault allegations
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Politics/The Apex Times/Jul 6, 8:24 PM EDT

Schumer and Gillibrand urge Maine Democrat Graham Platner to withdraw after sexual assault allegations

Democratic Senate leaders said they would not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot, citing allegations involving “violence, abuse and sexual assault.”

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Top Senate Democrats on Monday called on Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw from the race after new reports of sexual assault allegations, escalating pressure that Democratic lawmakers and candidates have begun applying to the campaign.

In a joint statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand said the allegations described in reporting were “incredibly disturbing,” adding that “violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable.” They said Platner “needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate” to allow Maine Democrats to select a new candidate, and they framed the request as necessary for Democrats to remain competitive against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Schumer and Gillibrand also said the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee “will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot,” making the leadership’s position explicit in terms of party resources. The DSCC’s statement followed broader fallout in the Democratic conference as additional politicians called for Platner to step aside.

Reporting cited by Politico described allegations from a woman who said she dated Platner previously and described an incident she said occurred in 2021. Politico reported the woman told CNN’s Jake Tapper that she stayed silent for several years and said she wanted “to get my life back.”

Politico also reported that it reviewed documents including emails the woman exchanged with her therapist, and it said it spoke with an acquaintance who warned the woman against becoming involved with Platner earlier. Those accounts are allegations, and no court finding or adjudication was cited in the materials provided for this story.

The Hill’s report, which carried the statement from Schumer and Gillibrand, did not cite an official legal proceeding or charging document connected to the allegations. Other outlets referenced in research results likewise described mounting calls for Platner to leave the race while a wider set of Democrats evaluated their support.

With party leaders publicly tying investment decisions to whether Platner remains on the ballot, the next step for the Maine Democratic Party and the DSCC would be to clarify whether Platner continues as the nominee and, if he does not, how the party determines a replacement under Maine election and party rules.

Why It Matters

  • The DSCC’s stated plan to withhold campaign investment could directly affect staffing, outreach, and advertising resources tied to the Maine Senate contest.
  • Schumer and Gillibrand’s request raises practical questions for Maine Democrats about nominee replacement procedures if Platner withdraws.
  • The episode highlights how quickly candidate-discipline decisions can be made within major party structures when allegations circulate, even absent a cited legal resolution.
  • Because the leaders’ remarks focus on public safety and misconduct allegations, the case also underscores due-process questions that can arise when political bodies take action before any adjudication.
  • The dispute could reshape coalition-building within the Democratic Senate caucus as lawmakers and candidates weigh whether to continue endorsements tied to the Maine nominee.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Senate Democrats’ campaign leadership, including Sen. Chuck Schumer and DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand, urged Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) to withdraw from the race.
  • In a joint statement, Schumer and Gillibrand said the allegations reported about Platner involved “violence, abuse and sexual assault,” which they said are “absolutely unacceptable.”
  • Schumer and Gillibrand said Platner “needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee” so Maine Democrats can choose a new candidate.
  • The DSCC said it “will not invest” in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot.
  • Politico reported allegations from a woman who said she previously dated Platner and described an incident she said occurred in 2021, including statements she made to CNN’s Jake Tapper.
  • No court action or charging document was cited in the provided materials as part of the new reporting.