Democratic leaders including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have joined a growing chorus of party voices demanding that Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner withdraw from the race following sexual assault allegations that surfaced this weekend.

Allegations Shake Democratic Senate Bid

Platner, who won Maine's Democratic primary in April after defeating a centrist candidate backed by the party establishment, now faces accusations that he broke into a woman's home and sexually assaulted her. The alleged victim, Jenny Racicot, went public with her account, stating that Platner "violated multiple layers of consent."

The allegations have sent shockwaves through Democratic Party leadership, threatening to derail what had been considered a must-win Senate seat in the battle for control of the upper chamber.

Warren Leads Democratic Defections

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts became one of the highest-profile Democrats to call for Platner's exit, joining what NPR described as "mounting pressure from within his party to withdraw from the race."

According to Axios, Schumer—who had only reluctantly embraced Platner after his preferred nominee, a moderate backed by party leadership, lost the primary—is now among those pressuring the candidate to quit.

July 13 Deadline Looms

Under Maine law, Democrats have until July 13 for Platner to withdraw from the race. If he exits before that deadline, the state Democratic Party would have two weeks to select a replacement nominee to face incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.

The Collins seat has been a top Democratic target, and party strategists had viewed Maine as essential to maintaining or expanding their Senate majority. Now those calculations have been thrown into chaos.

Platner Denies Allegations

For his part, Platner has released a statement calling the accusations "categorically untrue" and insisting he will remain in the race. According to the Daily Caller, Platner maintained that "sexual assault or violence against women is a red line" while denying he crossed it.

However, the denials have done little to stem the tide of Democratic defections. Al Jazeera reported that leading Democrats have withdrawn their support following the allegations, leaving Platner increasingly isolated within his own party.

Not the First Controversy

The sexual assault allegation marks the latest in what NPR called "a string of controversies" surrounding the progressive candidate. Platner's campaign had already faced scrutiny before the current scandal erupted, though the nature of previous controversies pales in comparison to the gravity of the current accusations.

With the deadline approaching and party leadership aligned against him, Platner faces mounting pressure to make a decision that could determine whether Democrats have any chance of holding the crucial Maine seat in November.