Maine Democrats have joined Republicans in calling for Graham Platner to drop out of the race for U.S. Senate.
New accusations of sexual assault led to both state parties releasing statements calling for his withdrawal within five minutes of each other Monday evening.
Democrats say they side with the numerous women who have made credible misconduct accusations in recent weeks, while Republicans are referring to Platner as a scandalous scumbag.
Platner has denied the latest sexual assault accusation, but says he’s now taking time to reflect on the Senate nomination.
Politico reported Monday afternoon that 41-year-old Maine resident Jenny Racicot is accusing Platner of forcing her to have sex with him against her will in 2021.
Racicot previously described “reckless” and “unsettling” behavior by Platner to The New York Times, but told Politico she didn’t go public with the specific assault claim because she didn’t want to be known as a rape victim.
She also said she was motivated to speak out now after another woman, Lyndsey Fifield, who said Platner mistreated her, faced attacks because of her ties to the Republican Party.
Racicot told Politico she was torn over coming forward in part because she agrees with Platner politically.
Platner has faced numerous claims from women in recent weeks, including from Racicot, of verbal and physical misconduct.
He’s been dogged for months over numerous scandals ranging from various statements on social media to a Nazi tattoo that he had covered up after entering the race for Senate.
Platner has been locked in a tight race for the Senate seat with five term incumbent Susan Collins. He easily won the Democratic nomination in the June primary.
The national Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee called on Platner to withdraw from the race later Monday evening.

