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Sen. Ruben Gallego pulls Graham Platner endorsement amid sexual assault allegation

Platner denied a newly reported sexual assault allegation as prominent Democrats urged him to leave the Senate race.

Sen. Ruben Gallego pulls Graham Platner endorsement amid sexual assault allegation
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Jul 6, 2026
tl;dr

Sen. Ruben Gallego withdrew his endorsement of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after a report alleged Platner sexually assaulted a woman. Platner denied the allegation, while prominent Democrats urged him to leave the race.

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Maine Democratic Senate candidate facing a sexual assault allegation

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ruben Gallego
D · AZ · SEN

Arizona senator who withdrew his endorsement of Graham Platner

Gallego's version of this story ↗
Kirsten E. Gillibrand
D · NY · SEN

Senator and chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican senator from Maine and incumbent in the race

Maine secretary of state mentioned as a possible replacement for Platner

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Democratic leader

Maine Senate candidate mentioned as a possible replacement for Platner

Ro Khanna
D · CA-17

California representative who withdrew his endorsement of Platner

ALSO MENTIONED  Charlie Dingman, Maine Democratic Party chair; Devon Murphy-Anderson, Executive director of the Maine Democratic Party; Hasan Piker, Commentator who had backed Platner and later withdrew his support; Imke Schessler, Maine Democratic Party vice chair; Jenny Racicot, Maine resident who accused Platner of assault; Marie Follayttar, Democratic community organizer in Maine

Part of a bigger story

58 OUTLETS
Graham Platner Withdraws From Maine Senate Race

Outlets report that a woman accused Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexual assault, which he denied, and that the allegation prompted calls for him to leave the race. Later coverage reports that he suspended or withdrew from his campaign. Left-leaning outlets focus on candidate accountability, electoral stakes and the process for choosing a replacement. Center outlets track the allegation, Platner’s denial and Democratic officials’ response, including the campaign’s political risks. Right-leaning outlets more often cast the episode as Democratic hypocrisy or party failure, while also following the political fallout.

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