A Maine woman says Graham Platner sexually assaulted her in 2019 — and now the Democratic Party’s own allies are pulling their support from the Senate candidate they helped elect.
Story Snapshot
- Jenny Rasco, a 41-year-old Maine resident, told Politico that Platner entered her home without permission and forced intercourse on her in 2019. She said the next day she told him directly it was not consensual.
- Politico says it reviewed therapist emails and messages Rasco sent warning others about Platner, supporting key parts of her account.
- A separate New York Times report cited three women who described troubled relationships with Platner, including one who said he physically grabbed and shoved her.
- Platner denies all allegations of non-consensual behavior, calling them “troubling, serious, and false.” Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly defended him.
- End Citizens United pulled its endorsement after the assault allegation broke, and Platner said he is weighing the “best path forward” for his campaign.
What Rasco Says Happened
Jenny Rasco told Politico that in 2019, Platner entered her home without being invited, and that the encounter that followed was not consensual. She says she told him explicitly the next day that it was assault. Politico says it reviewed emails between Rasco and her therapist, as well as messages she sent warning other women about Platner. A confidant of Rasco’s also spoke to the outlet, backing her account.
One key weakness in Rasco’s account is that she deleted her text messages and Instagram exchanges with Platner and could not recover them. The direct digital record of her post-encounter statement to him no longer exists. That means the case rests largely on third-party corroboration — the therapist emails, the confidant, and the warning messages — rather than a direct paper trail between Rasco and Platner.
Other Women, a Pattern of Behavior
The New York Times published a separate report on June 4, 2026, citing interviews with three women who dated Platner. One unnamed former partner described him grabbing her shoulders hard enough to leave marks, yanking her out of a cab by the wrist, twisting her arm behind her back, and holding a door closed to stop her from leaving. No medical records or photographs were provided to document those injuries. The same report noted that none of the three women had accused Platner of sexual assault before Rasco’s allegation became public.
CNN also reported that Platner’s wife, Amy, told campaign officials shortly after their 2023 marriage that he had been sexting multiple women. That disclosure was confirmed by Genevieve McDonald, a former political associate. Platner has acknowledged past mistakes but has not specified what he admits to versus what he denies, leaving his position ambiguous.
Platner Denies Everything — But His Support Is Cracking
Platner released a video statement calling all accusations of non-consensual behavior “categorically untrue.” At a Maine rally, he said, “When things come along that are just made up or lies, I’m very much going to push back against those.” In a private meeting with Senate Democrats — including Senator Bernie Sanders — Platner reportedly said “the worst of the rumors we’ve all heard are not true” and that no further allegations would surface. Sanders later publicly backed Platner, citing his military service.
NOW EVEN HIS OWN SIDE GOES QUIET
Maine Democrat Graham Platner just got hit with a sexual assault allegation from a named ex-girlfriend, who says he forced himself on her after she said stop. He denies it and is suddenly "reflecting on the best path forward."
Bernie backed him.…— Brian Bullock | Everyone Knows (@EveryoneKnws1) July 6, 2026
Despite that defense, the political ground is shifting fast. End Citizens United pulled its endorsement after the assault allegation broke. Platner said publicly he is evaluating the “best path forward” for his Senate bid. This story fits a troubling and well-documented pattern: at least 147 lawmakers across 44 states have faced accusations of sexual harassment, assault, or misconduct. Research shows that when these allegations hit, partisan loyalty often overrides accountability — and voters on both sides end up wondering whether anyone in power is ever truly held responsible.
Sources:
redstate.com, cnn.com, facebook.com, emilyslist.org, foxbaltimore.com, ballotpedia.org
