7 July 2026 - 10:40am
Yesterday, Graham Platner put his Senate campaign on hold within minutes of Politico reporting an on-the-record rape allegation involving the combat veteran. Platner said in a video that the claim is “categorically false” but that he’s “taking time to reflect on the best path forward”, conscious of a new “political reality”. This shaky reply implies even campaign insiders now recognise some standards still exist for candidates. This contrasts with the victory laps Team Platner took after surviving a string of recent scandals.
Those voices were persuasive. Last month, after the New York Times published a controversial story about Platner’s alleged mistreatment of women, I predicted he would likely survive future troubles. “Platner’s past could be a deciding factor if the margin is small and just a few voters are moved enough to side with [Republican incumbent Susan] Collins or stay home,” I argued in June. “But it won’t end Platner’s campaign, and it’s unlikely that any further revelations will either. Too many people have decided that politicians are universally untrustworthy and made peace with seeing them more as pieces on a game board who can be expected to move in a certain direction.”
Regardless of Platner’s decision, it’s not unreasonable to stand by that sentiment. I maintain even now that he would be competitive in November, and for the very same reasons. But Democrats today are grappling with whether Platner is so badly damaged that another candidate would be more competitive, not merely more acceptable.
The details of the allegations are a testament to this point. Speaking to Politico, Jenny Racicot accused Platner of drunkenly forcing himself on her in 2021. The pair reportedly matched on Bumble in 2019 and had an “on-again-off-again relationship” until the alleged assault. During the encounter, Racicot told Politico she asked Platner to stop, but he kept going. The woman provided some corroborating evidence, including the testimony of an ex-boyfriend to whom she told the story years ago, and messages from 2023. Will this be enough to lose Platner some support?
Past scandals may give an indication of whether this will impact his popularity. Even after the tattoo scandal, the Reddit scandal and the adultery scandal, Platner is leading in RealClearPolitics’s average. Every poll averaged by RCP in June except one found him in the lead.
Platner’s persistence remains a symbol of our political climate. Character concerns are a luxury that can now be overcome by energetic anti-establishment politics and a weak opponent. A big chunk of the electorate has accepted that their vote is ultimately just a choice between the lesser of two evils.
At this point, the calculation is really just when character concerns become too much of a risk if other options are available, even when those other options might lack Platner’s populist flair. This risk extends beyond Maine. A Democrat like James Talarico, who’s very clearly running on character, will want Platner to leave the race so Texas Democrats don’t have to answer for the Maine Marine every day from now until November.
Trump is unparalleled in his ability to retain popularity despite scandals. But the lesson of his arc is that Americans are now much more likely to be persuaded by arguments about their material interests, not abstract appeals to integrity and decency. Nobody believes politicians are qualified to make that case, so they might as well talk about healthcare, gas prices, and rent.
