Graham Platner, a Democratic US Senate candidate in Maine who has drawn national attention for his sharp criticism of Israel, has been hit with a new and serious allegation of sexual assault, adding to mounting pressure on his campaign as questions grow about his political future.

In a report published Monday by Politico, Jenny Racicot, 41, who said she dated Platner on and off from 2019 to 2021, alleged that in late 2021 Platner arrived at her home heavily intoxicated after she had told him not to come over, entered the residence, and forced her to have sex despite her repeatedly telling him “no.”

Racicot told Politico she later disclosed the alleged assault to her therapist and another individual, and the publication reported reviewing contemporaneous emails and messages that it said supported key aspects of her account. Platner has categorically denied the allegation, calling it “false” while announcing he is taking time to consider the “best path forward” for his Senate campaign.

The allegation follows earlier reports detailing accusations from multiple women regarding Platner’s past conduct, including claims of abusive behavior and misogynistic remarks, all of which he has also denied.

Platner has become a prominent figure within the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, in large part because of his outspoken condemnations of Israel and his calls for significant changes to US policy toward the country. His positions have drawn praise from pro-Palestinian activists while prompting criticism from many pro-Israel Democrats and Jewish organizations, which have argued that some of his rhetoric unfairly targets Israel and risks deepening political divisions over the US-Israel relationship.

Platner, an oyster farmer, launched his campaign in late summer 2025 with splashy digital ads accusing Israel of committing a “genocide” in Gaza. He also accused Israel of “exterminating” people in Gaza during campaign stops and vowed to vote against sending additional aid to the Jewish state. Platner drew further outrage after he released a statement marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, slaughters carried out across southern Israel by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, in which he condemned Hamas for “war crimes” but went on to accuse Israel of igniting a “genocide” in Gaza.

Platner also found himself embroiled in scandal last year after downplaying revelations that he possessed a tattoo resembling a symbol of the Schutzstaffel (SS), the Nazi paramilitary organization responsible for large-scale atrocities against millions of Jews and other victims in Europe during World War II. Platner subsequently covered up the tattoo.

Although Platner denied knowing the tattoo’s meaning, a former romantic partner reportedly told friends months before the scandal broke that he had a Nazi-related tattoo.

Platner’s rise made him a darling of the party’s progressive flank. After handily defeating the establishment-backed candidate, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, in the Democratic primary, he consolidated endorsements from an array of prominent progressives, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).

Though Platner has led incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in most polls, recent surveys show the Republican lawmaker steadily eroding his advantage, a potential consequence of the mounting scandals attached to his candidacy. A recent Fox News poll indicated that a narrow plurality of Mainers, 49 percent to 47 percent, planned to choose Collins over Platner.