Platner says he's reflecting on "best path forward" amid sexual assault allegation
A Maine woman told Politico that Graham Platner entered her home in late 2021 and forced himself on her. Platner denies the allegation.
Updated on: July 6, 2026 / 6:08 PM EDT / CBS News
Washington — The leadership of the Maine Democratic Party urged Senate nominee Graham Platner to drop out of the race Monday, after a bombshell Politico report accusing Platner of sexual assault.
Platner insisted the allegation is "categorically false" but said his campaign is reflecting on "the best path forward."
"Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to, and the goal of defeating Susan Collins," Platner said in a video his campaign posted to X. "Those were the goals when we launched this campaign, and they remain my goals today."
Platner denied the allegations, calling them "troubling, serious and false."