Allegation Against Maine Senate Candidate

Jenny Racicot accused Graham Platner, a Maine Senate candidate, of sexual assault in an interview with Politico on Monday. She shared her detailed account of the alleged attack during a CNN interview with Jake Tapper.

Ms. Racicot claimed that Mr. Platner assaulted her while intoxicated at her home in 2021. She described the incident as rape. During the struggle, a sewing cabinet was knocked over, and a needle became lodged in her leg.

“This is something that I tried for many years to forget,” Ms. Racicot said.

Mr. Platner, 41, denied all allegations of nonconsensual behavior in a video on social media, calling them “categorically false.”

Ms. Racicot, also 41, met Mr. Platner in 2019 through a dating app. She initially found him “intelligent” and “charming” but noted he had issues with alcohol. On one evening in 2021, he texted her about visiting her home. She told him not to come, saying, “I’m not in the mood. Don’t come over.” She assumed he understood since she didn’t receive a response. However, half an hour later, she heard a noise and Mr. Platner entered her unlocked home uninvited.

Upon entering, Mr. Platner allegedly “jumped on top of” her as she lay on the couch, indicating sexual intentions.