Graham Platner Has A Price For Dropping Out: Report

Embattled Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is reportedly refusing to step aside unless Democrats let him choose his replacement. 

The New York Post, citing a source close to the campaign, reported Tuesday that Platner, who has been accused of rape, wants to handpick his successor and is insisting the replacement align with his anti-Israel and left-wing views. 

Over the past 24 hours, Democrats and leftists have called on Platner to drop out of the race. 

“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,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said Tuesday. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee would not dedicate financial resources to the election if Platner is the nominee.

“The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot,” Schumer said in a statement with fellow Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). 

For now, Platner remains in control of his political future.

In June, he decisively won the Democratic nomination with more than 70% of the vote. Maine Democrats have until July 13 to replace him on the ballot, leaving the party just days to settle on a new nominee to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

“This vibes to me like a play from Bernie Sanders to slide in Troy Jackson,” another source told The Post. 

Jackson, the leading replacement for Platner, has also been hit with assault allegations, The Daily Wire previously reported. 

The DSA-affiliated Maine politician was also accused of physical assault on Tuesday by the political organization Progressive Victory, which works with left-wing politicians and influencers to organize grassroots support for leftist causes.

“Troy Jackson in a heated disagreement struck a female colleague with a bottle he threw at her. There are many witnesses and it appears this is a widespread open secret within Maine politics and not an isolated incident,” said Progressive Victory in a social media post.  

The group detailed “troubling information” it had received about Jackson.

“In our discussions we have received troubling information about not only Jackson’s behavior, but the behavior of many prominent Maine Democrats toward women more broadly,” the organization wrote. “Both as a result of the credibility of the sources and in the interest of not seeing our movement make the same mistake twice, we are choosing to share some of this now.”

Jackson has yet to comment on the allegations but has already launched an exploratory committee to potentially replace his friend, Platner, on the ballot, according to FEC filings.

“This is a very, very serious allegation,” Jackson said of the accusations against Platner. “This is something I never considered, but if Graham’s stepping away, I am very, very interested and think I’m the best person to replace him.”