Graham Platner's resurfaced rape-victim post deepens crisis with July 13 deadline in sight
A 2013 Reddit comment from Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic Senate nominee, shows him telling rape victims to take personal responsibility for being assaulted. The post adds a new layer to Platner's already embattled campaign. The July 13 deadline for him to withdraw and allow Democrats to name a replacement is now the immediate focus.
Key takeaways
- A 2013 Reddit comment from Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic Senate nominee, told rape victims to take personal responsibility for being assaulted.
- Platner must withdraw by July 13 for Maine Democrats to seat a replacement candidate by July 27.
- Former girlfriend Jenny Racicot told Politico on July 6 that Platner broke into her home in late 2021 while intoxicated and forced her to have sex despite her objections, an allegation he denies.
- A second former girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, told the New York Times in June that Platner self-medicated with alcohol and accused him of emotional abuse and intimidation, which he denies.
- High-profile Democrats have pulled their endorsements, but Platner has resisted calls to exit the race.
A 2013 Reddit comment from Graham Platner, Maine's Democratic Senate nominee, shows him telling rape victims to take personal responsibility for being assaulted. The post adds a new layer to Platner's already embattled campaign. The July 13 deadline for him to withdraw and allow Democrats to name a replacement is now the immediate focus.
What the 2013 post said
Platner wrote the comment in response to a user who expressed frustration that women could not get intoxicated without fearing sexual assault. "Holy f-ck, how about people just take some responsibility for themselves and not get so f---ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don't mean to?" he wrote. He continued: "Men and women, you make a choice to consume enough of a substance to lose your self control. So if you don't want to be in a comprising situation, act like an adult for f---s sake."
The rape allegation and corroborating accounts
Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend, told Politico on July 6 that Platner broke into her home in late 2021 while intoxicated and forced her to have sex despite her objections. "I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me," Racicot said. "I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, 'This is no longer my choice.'" Platner denies the allegation.
A second former girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, told the New York Times in June that Platner "too often self medicated with alcohol, and was a far from perfect boyfriend." She also accused him of emotional abuse and intimidation, which he denies. "You can't be that way in private and not have it translate into how you would govern or how you would legislate," Fifield said.
What to watch: July 13
High-profile Democrats have pulled their endorsements. Platner has resisted calls to exit. He must withdraw by July 13 for Maine Democrats to seat a replacement candidate by July 27.
A 2018 Reddit post could become a secondary problem if he stays. In it, Platner mocked Republicans who backed candidates accused of sexual assault: "Ah yes, the old 'I'll vote for the sexual predator/corrupt candidate scheme because he's a Republican' game." The Platner campaign did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment on Wednesday.
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Filed by the newsroom of MarketPR on July 9, 2026. Source: foxnews.com. Indicative figures are not investment advice.