Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner campaigned on building a growing progressive coalition, but his campaign has now been rocked by allegations of rape against him.
Platner's campaign against Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was dealt a significant blow on Monday after a report surfaced that the aspiring lawmaker allegedly raped an ex-girlfriend.
Within hours of the allegations circulating, several high-profile Democratic Senate candidates demanded that Platner withdraw from the race.
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico stated that the credible allegations against Platner cannot be ignored, and he should withdraw from the race immediately.
Other Democratic Senate candidates, including Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, former Rep. Mary Peltola in Alaska, former Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, also called on Platner to exit the race.
El-Sayed emphasized that credible allegations of sexual assault cannot be ignored, and voters in Maine deserve a choice for U.S. Senate that doesn't force them to make a moral compromise.
This marks the first time the five Senate hopefuls have publicly admonished Platner after several scandals have dogged his campaign.
The campaigns of the five Senate hopefuls have yet to provide a clear explanation for why they chose to break with Platner now rather than after previous allegations.
Platner has yet to withdraw from the contest, and the deadline for a candidate to drop out in Maine is July 13.
If Platner does withdraw by then, the Maine Democratic Party will have until July 27 to nominate a replacement.
Sen. Susan Collins has stayed at arm's length from the controversy, stating that the allegations are appalling, but it is not up to her to choose the Democratic nominee for Senate.
