Graham Platner, a scandal-plagued Democratic Senate nominee whose insurgent rise was fueled in large part by his opposition to Israel, announced Wednesday that he will end his campaign after a rape allegation threatened to derail his run, which was seen as one of his party’s best chances of flipping a Republican-held seat.

“We are suspending campaign operations,” said Platner, who prior to the rape accusation, faced criticism for long having a Nazi SS Totenkopf tattoo, and for other allegations of mistreating women.

“This is incredibly difficult, because I know that some will think it’s an admission of guilt, and it most certainly is not. We’re not doing it because of the allegations, we’re doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power,” he added in a video posted on X.

Platner said the process to replace him needs to be “open, transparent and democratic” and to reflect the will and values of people who supported him. He also lashed out at Democratic leaders in Washington, DC.

“People in DC need to stay in DC,” Platner said. “Decisions should not be made by people in places of political power.”

Platner’s exit could exacerbate divisions between the party’s moderate and progressive factions, as Democrats debate who should replace him on the ballot and struggle to unify ahead of this year’s midterm elections.

My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine. pic.twitter.com/RKVyLU76tm — Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) July 9, 2026

My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine. pic.twitter.com/RKVyLU76tm

— Graham Platner for Senate........

© The Times of Israel