The Maine Democratic Party demanded that Senate candidate Graham Platner withdraw from the race, following a CNN interview in which a woman accused him of rape. Platner, a controversial progressive with a history of anti-Israel statements, has been under fire for his past behavior. According to Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom), the party's call came after the interview aired.
The Maine Democratic Party has called on Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race, a step that follows a CNN interview in which the woman accusing him of rape spoke publicly for the first time, as reported by Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom). The interview aired Monday night, and the party's demand came shortly after, intensifying pressure already building since Monday's earlier reports of calls for Platner's exit.
As The Zioneer reported in a series of dispatches Monday evening (published at 22:46 Jerusalem), the story developed rapidly. Initially, Platner — who won the primary in June — was reported to be considering dropping out after a Politico report in which an ex-girlfriend accused him of forced sex (version 5). Soon after, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and the Maine Democratic Party all called for his withdrawal, with the party joining those calls by 22:46 (versions 8 and 7). The initial Politico report (version 3) had Platner denying the allegation and saying he was "taking time to reflect."
The Zioneer previously reported (June 10) that Platner, a primary winner with a history of anti-Israel statements, was a weak candidate against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, due in part to a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. The current sexual misconduct allegations compound the party's difficulties in Maine, where the Senate race could affect the balance of power in the upcoming midterm elections.
It remains unclear whether Platner will comply with the party's demand. He had not publicly responded to the rape accusation as of the CNN interview's airing.
8 developments
- StrongGraham Platner wins Maine Senate primary, will face Susan Collins
- DevelopingMaine primary winner stumbles when asked about alleged Nazi tattoo on national TV
- DevelopingSen. Fetterman decries rising anti-Israel sentiment within Democratic Party
- DevelopingRonen Tzor resigns from the Democrats party
Source and signal
- Internal intake