Greg Casar pulls support from Graham Platner after sexual assault allegation

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar on Monday joined a growing chorus of Democrats pressing Graham Platner to withdraw from the Maine U.S. Senate race after a woman accused him of sexual assault.

Casar, who leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus, had been Texas' only member of Congress to publicly back Platner in his high-profile bid to unseat Republican incumbent Susan Collins.

"I am horrified by the allegations against Graham Platner," Casar, D-Austin, wrote on social media Monday. "He should drop out of the Senate race. Maine Democrats should replace him with an inspiring candidate who can best represent them."

Democrats see the Maine contest as one they need to win to take control of the U.S. Senate in the November election.

On Monday, Politico published a story in which Jenny Racicot, a woman Platner previously dated, said he entered her home uninvited in 2021 and drunkenly forced himself on her while she repeatedly told him to stop. Platner denied the allegation, but said his campaign is weighing its options.

He has until July 13 to withdraw, and the party would have to name a replacement by July 27.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, also called for Platner to leave the race Monday, writing online that "Graham Platner should drop out asap."

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On CNN's "State of the Union" in June, she expressed concern about different allegations that Platner had mistreated a woman he dated. But Escobar said she found the idea of Collins retaining her seat even more troubling.

Casar had endorsed Platner on April 30 after Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign and he became the Democrats' presumptive nominee.

At the time, Casar wrote on social media: "Platner is showing what it means for Democrats to run pro-working class campaigns."

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