A conservative Washington news outlet is reporting Graham Platner, accused of rape Monday, will be withdrawing from Maine’s Senate race.
“A well-placed source told the Washington Reporter that Platner is poised to drop out,” the outlet said in what it’s calling an “exclusive.”
In a related development, California congressman and key Platner supporter Ro Khanna called on Platner to quit.
Platner, plagued by scandal after scandal, denied claims by a woman who told Politico he sexually assaulted her.
But for the first time in facing allegations of criminal behavior, Platner publicly admitted he is “taking the time to reflect” and considering “the best path forward.”
Khanna, rumored to be looking at a 2028 presidential bid, threw in the towel Monday after weeks of standing by his fellow Democrat, who overwhelmingly won the party primary last month to take on five-term GOP U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.
“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna said. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”
The outlet claiming an exclusive on Platner leaving the race said it was told that Platner “taking time to reflect” is “the same thing as him dropping out.”
The Washington Reporter was founded two years ago by Garrett Ventry, Brian Colas, and Matthew Foldi as a center-right, Hill-focused outlet covering the intersection of public policy and business.
Ventry and Colas are former congressional chiefs of staff.
If Platner decides to fall on his sword for the party, July 13 is the deadline for him to withdraw and have a replacement, according to the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.
The deadline for the Maine Democratic Party to replace its nominee on the ballot is July 27, in accordance with a state law that says a party has until 5 p.m. on the fourth Monday in July of an election year to do so.
“The name of a candidate for an office on the general election ballot who withdraws for any reason 70 days or more before the general election must be removed from the ballot,” Maine law states.
A likely replacement candidate could be Nirav Shah, unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate, according to Steve Robinson, editor-in-chief of The Maine Wire.
Other rumored possible last-minute candidates even include actor and Lewiston, Maine native Patrick Dempsey.
