Democratic Senate Candidate Graham Plattner Accused of Rape and Suspends Campaign

Graham Plattner, a controversial and far-left Democratic Senate candidate known for his extreme views and criticism of Israel, has been accused of rape by a woman with whom he had a two-year relationship. The allegation, made by Jenny Rasico, claims that Plattner raped her in 2021 after entering her home without permission. Rasico, a registered Democrat who supports many of Plattner's policies, stated she came forward to provide a clearer picture of his character for voters. Plattner vehemently denied the accusations, calling them "completely false" and "serious and baseless." Despite his denial, he announced he would suspend his campaign to consider his next steps, acknowledging the political damage the allegations could cause in the tight Senate race that could determine control of the chamber in the November elections.

Plattner canceled several campaign events following the allegations but has not made a final decision about continuing his candidacy. Democratic Party officials and prominent figures have called on him to withdraw immediately. The Democratic Senate campaign arm, which opposed Plattner during the primaries, stated it would not fund his campaign if he remains the nominee. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a former supporter, and ally Ro Khanna also urged Plattner to step down, emphasizing zero tolerance for sexual violence.

Plattner’s campaign has been marked by numerous scandals, including controversial statements and actions such as praising a 2014 Hamas raid that killed five Israeli soldiers, displaying a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, and sending inappropriate messages to multiple women during his marriage. His provocative rhetoric and behavior have drawn sharp criticism within and outside the Democratic Party. Under party rules, Plattner must withdraw by July 13 to allow the Democrats to select a replacement candidate.

The rape accusation represents a significant escalation in the controversies surrounding Plattner, threatening to end his political ambitions amid a highly competitive Senate race.