On Tuesday, amid new scandals and calls to drop out of the race, Maine Senate Democrat nominee Graham Platner posted an “urgent” job opening for a Research Director. Among this director’s tasks is to “Anticipate opponent lines of attack and build comprehensive defense strategies and rapid response toolkits,” suggesting the possibility that more allegations are to come.
By Tuesday afternoon, however, all job openings – including this one – had been deleted from the Senate candidate’s “Careers” webpage. Before-and-after screenshots of the webpage confirm that multiple positions had been listed on the website earlier in the day, before they were all scrubbed.
The job was also posted on Daybook, a job site specializing in political and legal job openings, where it remains listed.
Platner’s campaign is offering to pay this researcher between $7,000 and $11,000 a month, though the position’s long-term career potential appears dubious, as a growing number of his fellow Democrats are now calling for him to immediately withdraw from the race.
Given the unlikelihood that all positions were filled in the short span of a few hours, Platner’s Senate campaign appears to have cancelled all plans to add new staff, including the urgently-needed Research Director – a foreboding sign for his campaign.
On Monday, Politico broke the news of Platner’s latest scandal: accusations by Jenny Racicot that Platner raped her in 2021 after entering her home uninvited while intoxicated.
In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Racicot alleged that Platner “Violated multiple layers of consent that night” and, when asked if what happened to her was rape, she responded, “By definition, yes, absolutely.”
Multiple Democrats, including those who had enthusiastically endorsed Platner in the past, have rescinded their endorsements and called for him to leave from race.
Vermont Democratic Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, one of Platner’s strongest supporters since October 2025, has called for Platner to withdraw over the allegations, according to an X post Tuesday:
“I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In Light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside.”
Many other progressives, including Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), as well as Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), have also revoked their endorsements.
Democrat leaders in the Senate have announced they will no longer support Platner, even if he remains the nominee. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and DSCC Chair Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement on Monday:
“The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing- violence, abuse, and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable.
“Graham Platner needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate and allow Maine Democrats the opportunity to choose a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins. The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot.”
Platner has until July 13th to withdraw from the race in time for Democrats to nominate a different candidate, which they then must do by July 27th, according to Maine election law.
Former Democrat State Senate leader Troy Jackson is seen as Platner’s likely replacement. Platner had endorsed Jackson’s failed bid to become the Democrat candidate for governor and, until recently, had enjoyed Jackson’s endorsement for senator.
On a call with Reporter Benjamin Kail of Bangor Daily News, Jackson reportedly revoked his endorsement and expressed his interest in taking Platner’s place as the nominee:
“This is something I never considered, but if Graham’s stepping away, I am very, very interested & think I’m the best person to replace him.”