Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, has suspended his campaign for the 2026 US midterm elections following a series of controversies, including a sexual assault accusation from a former girlfriend. The announcement came in a social media video on Wednesday.

The suspension follows a Politico report detailing the woman's allegation that Platner forced her to have sex with him nearly five years ago. In response, a string of high-profile Democrats withdrew their endorsements. Platner has denied the allegations.

Platner had previously faced other controversies, including offensive Reddit posts for which he apologized, and a now-covered tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. The Wall Street Journal reported that Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, told the campaign that her husband had sent sexually explicit texts to several women early in their marriage. Gertner later said in a video message that she was “really angry” about the report and that they had a “great marriage.”

The decision to suspend the campaign has thrown one of the most competitive races in the 2026 midterms into turmoil. The Maine race is considered crucial for the Democratic Party, which aims to win control of the Senate in the November 3 elections. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.

Following the Politico report, CNN reported that Platner's former girlfriend accused him of entering her home without permission and raping her while he was intoxicated. Platner flatly denied the allegations. Top US Democrats and Democratic-leaning political groups pulled their endorsements, and the Democratic Party leadership in Maine called on Platner to drop out, stating that the party “stands with women and survivors.”

Platner's departure may signal the end of his political rise, which had tapped into progressive politics by promoting universal healthcare and working-class themes while criticizing billionaires and concentrated wealth.

Source: www.aljazeera.com