Topline
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race in Maine, announced the suspension of his campaign and said he was filing paperwork to withdraw his candidacy, after a woman accused him of sexual assault, prompting key backers to drop their support and urge him to exit the race.
Key Facts
In an 11-minute video shared on social media, Platner said he was “suspending campaign operations” but that this was “certainly” not an “admission of guilt” regarding the allegations against him.
Platner claimed that if he chose to continue in the race, he would lose his ability to fundraise, access voter data and other things needed to run his campaign.
Platner said the process to replace him on the ballot should be “open, transparent and democratic” and should be driven by the people of Maine.
The candidate also called out the party’s leadership in Washington, saying, “People in D.C. need to stay in D.C.”
Crucial Quote
“What comes next needs to come from the people, needs to come from the people of Maine, needs to come from the voters who…voted for a politics that would actually represent them. Voted against the political system, against the donor class, against the entrenched forces,” Platner said in his statement.
This is a developing story.