Maine State Rep. Valli Geiger has reportedly been endorsed by embattled socialist and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, despite allegations of rape against him.
Geiger stated that Platner called her on Monday night to express his support for her candidacy, saying 'Valli you are a fighter, you have been with this movement since the beginning.'
Geiger acknowledged the allegations against Platner, stating that she was 'heartbroken' by them, but also expressed compassion for all parties involved, writing 'I will not throw Graham under the bus, but neither will I slander or accuse Ms. Racicot of anything more than telling the truth as she experienced it.'
Geiger emphasized that there are 'no winners here,' and that the movement sparked by Platner's candidacy has been 'profoundly hopeful,' but now 'something profoundly hopeful has been lost.'
Maine Democrats face a Monday deadline to replace Platner on the ballot, and Geiger's endorsement has been seen as a potential solution.
A campaign insider stated that Platner would only step down if he could be guaranteed that he would be replaced by a candidate who shares his values and vision.
Geiger and Platner have a history of campaigning together, as seen in a video posted by The Maine Wire, in which Geiger expresses her support for Platner's views on feminism and capitalism.
Others who have expressed interest in taking Platner's spot on the ballot include former gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson, who filed federal election paperwork on Tuesday, and Paige Loud, who lost her bid for Maine's second congressional district.
