The race for one of the most contested seats in the Senate took an unexpected turn. Democratic candidate Graham Platner announced the suspension of his campaign in Maine, after being accused of sexual assault by a woman with whom he had a relationship several years ago.

Although Platner categorically rejected the accusations and assured that they are “completely false,” he also acknowledged that the pressure exerted by the Democratic Party, as well as the loss of support from important national figures, made it unfeasible for him to continue in the race.

This move to the left now forces Democrats to look for a new candidate to face Republican Senator Susan Collins.

The accusations cause the campaign to collapse

The complaint was publicly filed by Jenny Racicot, who told CNN that Platner entered her home without authorization in 2021 and sexually assaulted her.

“By the dictionary definition, he raped me,” Racicot stated during an interview with Jake Tapper.

The woman claimed that Platner repeatedly ignored her refusal and that, during the meeting, he also disobeyed her request to use protection.

Hours after the case became known, Platner published an 11-minute video on social networks to announce the end of his campaign.

"This is not an admission of guilt. We do it because of the power structures that are taking the campaign away from us," he said.

The candidate maintained that the accusations are part of an attempt by the “political establishment” to prevent his arrival in the Senate.

The Democratic Party withdrew its support

The accusations triggered a swift reaction within the Democratic Party. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer; Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; Sen. Bernie Sanders and lawmakers like Ro Khanna and Rubén Gallego publicly withdrew their support and called for him to drop out of the race.

Additionally, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) announced that it would stop investing resources in the election if Platner remained a candidate.

The resignation also changes the electoral landscape in Maine, where Democrats consider the possibility of defeating Republican Susan Collins, who has held the seat since 1997, a priority.

Under state law, the Maine Democratic Party will have until July 27 to nominate a new candidate to run in one of the most competitive Senate races of the election cycle.