Progressives are bailing on Graham Platner. Are we surprised?

By Easton Martin | July 8, 2026

The Democratic campaign to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins is in turmoil as local and national party leaders continue to pull their support from nominee Graham Platner following a credible allegation of sexual assault.

​The collapse of party backing comes after a report published Monday detailed accusations from a woman who previously dated Platner. According to the report, the woman stated that Platner drunkenly forced her to have sex at her home in 2021 despite her repeated objections. Platner, an oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran who won the June primary with a historic populist wave, has denied the accusation, calling it categorically false.​

The fallout was immediate and widespread. Within hours of the report, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Senate Democratic campaign committee, issued a joint statement demanding Platner immediately withdraw from the race. They stated that violence and sexual assault are completely unacceptable and urged him to allow Maine Democrats the opportunity to select a new candidate.

​Prominent progressive allies who previously stood by Platner through prior campaign controversies also broke ties. Senator Bernie Sanders recommended that Platner step aside, while Representative Ro Khanna rescinded his endorsement, noting that violence against women represents a definitive red line.

The progressive group Our Revolution similarly withdrew its support, calling the allegations too serious to treat as a distraction.​State party officials face a ticking clock to manage the crisis. Under Maine law, Platner must formally drop out by Monday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m. to allow the secretary of state to declare a ballot vacancy. If he exits before that deadline, the Maine Democratic Party will have until July 27 to choose a replacement nominee. If he remains on the ballot past Monday, the party loses its statutory ability to field an alternative candidate for the November general election.

While Platner released a video stating he is taking time to reflect on the best path forward, potential successors are already positioning themselves. Former Maine State Senate President Troy Jackson has expressed strong interest in entering the race if a vacancy opens, and other state figures like Secretary of State Shenna Bellows are being discussed by party insiders.