Graham Platner has not left Maine's Senate race as a Monday deadline to replace him nears

Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, had not withdrawn from the race as of Tuesday, July 8, even as leaders of his own party urged him to step aside and began planning to choose a replacement within two weeks.

Under Maine election law, Platner must leave the race by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 13, for state Democrats to place another candidate on the November ballot, according to reporting by NBC News and NPR. If he withdraws by that deadline, the party would have until late July to name a replacement, likely at a special convention, The Washington Post reported.

The allegation

Politico reported last week that Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend of Platner, said he came to her home while intoxicated in 2021 and had sex with her over her objections. Racicot said she told Platner the encounter was not consensual and cut off contact with him afterward.

Platner has denied the account. He called the allegation "categorically false" and said in a video that he was taking time to consider "the best path forward" for his campaign.

Democrats withdraw support

Within days of the report, several of Platner's endorsers pulled their support or called on him to quit the race. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, one of Platner's earliest backers, wrote on social media on Tuesday: "I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona said they were withdrawing their endorsements. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Rep. Ro Khanna of California also called on Platner to leave the race.

What the race decides

Platner won the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent, in November. Maine is one of the seats Democrats are contesting as they try to win a Senate majority in the midterm elections.

Maine Democrats have started discussing possible replacements should Platner withdraw. Janet Mills, who suspended her own Senate campaign before the primary, has not been widely named as a candidate, according to reporting on the race. State party officials have said the window to settle on a new nominee is short.

Platner has not said when he will announce a decision.