Leading Democrats tell Graham Platner to abandon campaign or face funding freeze

Published July 6, 2026 8:52pm ET | Updated July 7, 2026 3:31pm ET



Senior Democrats are urging embattled Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race against Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), warning that all funding in support of Platner would be cut off should he stay in the race.

Calls for Platner’s exit from the race roared after Politico reported a woman who previously dated Platner came forward with allegations that the left-wing populist candidate sexually assaulted her while severely intoxicated five years ago. Platner has denied the allegations and said his campaign would be taking time to “reflect.”

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