A political adviser to Graham Platner’s now-defunct Senate campaign is facing scrutiny after saying 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."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," Platner political adviser Morris Katz wrote on X Wednesday.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.EXPLOSIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION ROCKS PLATNER CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF KEY DEADLINE IN CRUCIAL SENATE RACEGraham Platner speaks at his Primary Election event on June 9, 2026 in Blue Hill, Maine.
(CJ Gunther/Getty Images)Katz, one of Platner's top political advisers, faced scrutiny over the post on Thursday, including receiving an X community note for its 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 community note reads.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."Platner responded within minutes to the Politico article, posted at 3:18 p.m.Monday, sharing a video on X at 3:29 p.m.
He said his campaign was "taking time to reflect on the best path forward."His campaign also commented in the article, noting Platner "vigorously denies" the "very serious" allegations, while arguing critics were working to push him out of the running."They are also coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives," the campaign tol...