US Senate candidate Platner suspends campaign after lawsuit | Political Affairs

Many Democrats withdrew their support for Platner following allegations of sexual harassment.

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has suspended his 2026 US mid-term election campaign after a series of controversies, including allegations of sexual assault by a former partner.

Prominent Democrats dropped their support for Platner after Politico reported that the woman accused him of forcing her to sleep with him nearly five years ago. Platner announced his decision to suspend his campaign in a social media video posted Wednesday.

Platner has faced a number of other controversies, including offensive Reddit posts for which he apologized and a now-covered tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, told the public that her husband had sent lewd text messages to several women early in their marriage. However, Gertner said in a video message that he was “very angry” about the report, and that the couple had a “great marriage”.

Platner’s decision to suspend his campaign has created chaos in the highly competitive race for the 2026 midterm elections.

The race in Maine is considered a key one for the Democratic Party, which is seeking control of the Senate in the Nov. 3 election. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.

The party is now focusing on choosing a successor to take on Republican Senator Susan Collins.

The end of Platner’s rapid political rise

After Politico reported on sexual assault on Monday, CNN followed up with a report that Platner’s ex-girlfriend accused him of breaking into her home and sexually assaulting her while drunk. Platner disputed his claims.

Following an interview with Politico, top US Democrats and Democratic-leaning political groups released their views on Platner.

The leaders of the Democratic Party in Maine also asked Platner to withdraw from the race, saying that “it stands with women and survivors, and this principle does not bend in favor of parties”.

The departure could mark the end of Platner’s political rise, who entered progressive politics by advocating for a universal health care system and working-class leaders, while criticizing billionaires and the big economy.