NYT > U.S. > Politics

Does a Sex Assault Claim Kill a Political Career? It Depends.

2 hours agoCenter Left

The swift exit of Graham Platner from the Maine Senate race followed Eric Swalwell’s similar exit from the California governor’s race, but Republicans have taken a different tack.

Read Full Story at Source

Compare Perspectives

Found 8 stories

Graham Platner Drops Out of Maine Senate Race After Sexual Assault Allegations

TIME

1 hour ago

Graham Platner Drops Out of Maine Senate Race After Sexual Assault Allegations

Platner's exit leaves Democrats scrambling to field a new candidate to take on Senator Susan Collins.

Center Left

Read →

WATCH: Graham Platner's video denial of sexual assault sounds EERILY similar to that of Eric Swalwell

Blaze Media

1 hour ago

WATCH: Graham Platner's video denial of sexual assault sounds EERILY similar to that of Eric Swalwell

A Fox News report compared the video denials of sexual harassment from two Democratic candidates and found some eerie similarities.Graham Platner has denied allegations of sexual assault from a woman he dated and is resisting calls to step down from his campaign for one of Maine's seats in the U.S. Senate.'Just like all of the Dems resounding their endorsements. All scripted.'The report found that his denial had many of the same elements as the one issued by former Rep. Eric Swalwell in April when he faced similar accusations.Swalwell said in his video that he wanted "you to see and hear from me directly.""I wanted to directly address the troubling, serious, and false allegations against me," Platner said in his video released on Monday."These allegations of sexual assault are flat false," Swalwell said."Any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is categorically false," Platner said."I'm gonna spend time with my family and friends, and I appreciate those who have reached out to me to show support," Swalwell said."We're taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love," Platner said.Both Democrats were ridiculed greatly on social media."Did they have the same script writer?" Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina responded."Keep going ... there are more I suspect," California politician Gloria Romero replied."Just like all of the Dems resounding their endorsements. All scripted," another user said."Democrat sexual predators are so common that they have a template for a response. Eric Swalwell and Graham Platner must have gotten the outline in their welcome packet when they registered to run for office. Just insert your name and read!" another critic joked.RELATED: Donna Brazile gets CRUSHED online over bizarre reply to allegations against Graham Platner "Same script. Same denial. Same DNC playbook. ... Who wrote the script for them?" another response reads.Many Democrats have rescinded their endorsements for Platner and called for him to step down from the campaign, though others are still defending him.While Platner continues trying to hold on to his senatorial hopes, Swalwell set a grim precedent. The California Democrat was forced to abandon his gubernatorial hopes and resigned from office.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Right

Read →

Graham Platner drops out of Maine Senate race after sexual assault accusation

NBC News Politics

1 hour ago

Graham Platner drops out of Maine Senate race after sexual assault accusation

His decision comes days before a key deadline, allowing Maine’s Democratic Party to select a new candidate to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a critical contest for Senate control.

Center Left

Read →

Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate campaign after sexual assault allegation

Politics - CBSNews.com

1 hour ago

Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate campaign after sexual assault allegation

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is suspending his campaign against GOP Sen. Susan Collins, after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her five years ago.

Center

Read →

Campaign Strategist: Platner's Political Career Is 'Done'

Bloomberg Politics

2 hours ago

Campaign Strategist: Platner's Political Career Is 'Done'

Jim Messina, founder and CEO of The Messina Group and manager of the Obama 2012 re-election campaign, says Graham Platner's "career in politics is done" after months of turmoil surrounding his campaign and sexual assault allegations that Platner has denied. Messina says Platner should not get to decide Maine Democrats' nominee, arguing voters and the party need an open, transparent process to choose a replacement in a race he says Democrats likely need to win to flip the Senate. He speaks with Kailey Leinz and Joe Mathieu on the late edition of Bloomberg's "Balance of Power." (Source: Bloomberg)

Center

Read →

Platner Suspends Senate Bid After Sexual Assault Allegation

Bloomberg Politics

2 hours ago

Platner Suspends Senate Bid After Sexual Assault Allegation

Graham Platner suspended his US Senate campaign in Maine following a sexual assault allegation that caused his support from fellow Democrats to collapse, throwing a crucial race for the party into turmoil.

Center

Read →

The Supreme Court just handed the political parties their best day in a generation

The Hill News

6 hours ago

The Supreme Court just handed the political parties their best day in a generation

The Supreme Court's decision in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. FEC has strengthened the political parties, allowing them to spend without limit in direct coordination with their candidates, while still maintaining transparency and accountability.

Center

Read →

It’s Time for Maine to Ditch Platner — But Not the Politics That Won Over Voters

The Intercept

6 hours ago

It’s Time for Maine to Ditch Platner — But Not the Politics That Won Over Voters

Platner has lost the moral right to speak for the left. The movement that energized Maine’s voters should choose his replacement. The post It’s Time for Maine to Ditch Platner — But Not the Politics That Won Over Voters appeared first on The Intercept.

Far Left

Read →

Does a Sex Assault Claim Kill a Political Career? It Depends.

Summary

Related Coverage

More Headlines From July 9, 2026

Does a Sex Assault Claim Kill a Political Career? It Depends.

Compare Perspectives