AssetID: 55840540
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Democrat Suspends Senate Campaign After Assault Allegation
Caption: Democrat Suspends Senate Campaign After Assault Allegation. Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has suspended his campaign in Maine after a woman accused him of sexual assault. Platner denied the allegation, calling it "false," and said his decision was driven by Democrats threatening to withdraw campaign support. He said he will formally withdraw only after a replacement candidate is chosen through what he described as an "open and democratic" process. The race against Republican Senator Susan Collins is seen as crucial to Democrats' hopes of winning control of the U.S. Senate. Following the allegation, several leading Democrats withdrew their endorsements and party organizations ended their financial backing. The campaign had already faced controversy over past social media posts, a tattoo Platner said he later covered up, and reports about his personal life. The latest allegation came from a woman who claimed Platner entered her home uninvited and sexually assaulted her. He strongly denied the accusation. Under Maine law, Platner must officially withdraw by July 13 for Democrats to replace him on the ballot. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Graham Platner,Susan Collins,Democratic Party,Maine,U.S. Senate,midterm elections,sexual assault allegation,campaign suspension,endorsements,politics,election 2026,Democrats,Republican Party,United States
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