A political advisor to Graham Platner's now-defunct Senate campaign is facing sharp scrutiny after claiming the team urged him to end his candidacy «as soon» as it learned of a rape allegation — despite the campaign publicly denying the claim before Platner suspended his run two days later. The discrepancy has ignited a fierce debate over transparency and accountability in political campaigns.
Morris Katz, one of Platner's top political advisors, wrote on X Wednesday: «As soon as the team became aware of the rape allegations against Graham Platner, we advised he suspend his candidacy, and in the following days worked to wind down the campaign.» The post quickly drew a community note on X that highlighted the timeline: «When asked by CNN about Jenny Racicot's rape allegation on July 6, Platner's campaign denied it was true rather than immediately advising suspension, which occurred two days later.»
The allegation, first reported by Politico on Monday, came from Maine resident Jenny Racicot, who said Platner raped her in 2021. Platner has denied the claim, calling it false and politically motivated. In a video posted to X on Monday, just 11 minutes after the Politico article appeared, Platner said his campaign was «taking time to reflect on the best path forward.» His campaign also told Politico that Platner «vigorously denies» the «very serious» allegations, while arguing that critics were working to push him out of the race.
CNN's Jake Tapper weighed in on Katz's message, posting to X: «As soon as we asked the campaign about what Jenny Racicot told us on the record and on camera Monday, the campaign said that her assertion he had raped her was false.» Tapper's comment underscored the growing pressure on Platner's team to explain the gap between their public denial and the subsequent suspension.
As calls grew for him to exit the race, Platner's campaign announced Wednesday that he would speak later that day, but did not specify what he planned to address. He then posted an 11-minute recorded video on X in which he said the allegations were «all false,» blaming the political establishment for working against him. «Much like the news that was created the week before the primary. There is a reason that this is happening now. I only have until July 13th until I am officially the nominee. This was the last week to try to get me off of the ballot. And that's why this is occurring,» said Platner. He announced the suspension of his campaign in the same video, stating: «For the movement to continue, it can't be me. For that reason, we are suspending campaign operations.»
Platner officially ended his Senate campaign on Friday afternoon, just days before the July 13 deadline for him to formally withdraw from the race. That deadline is critical because it would allow the Maine Democratic Party to select a replacement nominee by July 27 to face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in what is expected to be a closely watched race.
Critics on social media seized on the timeline, questioning when the campaign actually learned of the allegation and why Platner did not suspend his campaign until two days after the public denial. Republican commentator Matt Whitlock wrote on X: «Important to note that Morris and his team began calling former girlfriends of Platner LAST YEAR because they knew there were issues.» The Republicans X account added: «The Democrat establishment was fully ready to make a rapist a United States Senator. They only took him out because he was going to lose.» Emily's List, a Democratic, pro-choice women's PAC, posted: «11 minutes and zero accountability.»
The controversy has also raised broader questions about how political campaigns handle sexual misconduct allegations and the pressures they face from party leaders and the public. Maine Democrats were racing the clock to secure a replacement candidate, with the party's ability to field a strong challenger to Collins now hanging in the balance. Fox News Digital reached out to Platner's team and Katz for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
