Democratic candidate Platner dropped out of the election race due to rape allegations

Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and former Marine, announced in a video message on the evening of July 8 that he was suspending his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Maine, reported CNN and wrote USA Today. 

The decision came after his former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, accused him of rape that occurred nearly five years ago. Platner has denied the allegations and called any "unwanted behavior" categorically false, reported Washington Post and New York Times.

Platner was set to face Republican Senator Susan Collins in the autumn midterm elections. Democrats need to win at least four seats to take over the Senate, as Republicans currently hold 53:47. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Election Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the party would not invest resources in the Maine race unless Platner withdrew and a new candidate was named, reported CNN.

The Maine Democratic Party must now hastily find a replacement candidate. According to state law, Platner had until July 13 to withdraw to allow the party to replace him. The deadline for submitting a new candidate is July 27, reported New York Times and CNN. Maine Democrats approved a plan on Wednesday to hold a selection for a replacement candidate.