Republican Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby criticized the Democratic Party after rape allegations against Democratic Senate candidate for Maine Graham Platner sparked a political firestorm, accusing Democrats of elevating a candidate with a troubling record.
“Mainers have seen what happens when you elect Democrats into power, as @GovJanetMills now has our state circling the drain… but you know what’s worse? A Nazi Communist with rape allegations and an extreme agenda… that’s who represents their party,” Libby wrote in a post on X.
Libby’s comment referenced a string of controversies and allegations that have dogged Platner since his campaign began, along with the prominent political figures who have backed him throughout, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). On Tuesday, Sanders encouraged Platner to drop out.
On Monday, Politico published a report in which a woman who previously dated him accused him of sexual assault. The woman, Jenny Racicot, alleged that Platner forced himself on her in 2021 despite her objections. Platner has denied the accusation, calling it false and rejecting claims of non-consensual behavior. Despite his denial, multiple Democrats who previously backed him have called on him to drop out of the race.
Speaking on Newsmax TV’s National Report before Sanders urged Platner to stop his campaign, Libby said, “Bernie Sanders is the only Democrat that by his silence is being a little bit honest, he doesn’t care about this latest allegation, he doesn’t care that there is a credible allegation of rape. None of them cared when there were credible allegations of assault last month. They didn’t care about the Reddit post, they don’t care about the Nazi tattoo.”
Platner has also faced other allegations, including racism, accusations involving Nazi symbolism, claims of infidelity, and reports that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with women who were not his wife.
SANDERS BREAKS SILENCE AND CALLS ON GRAHAM PLATNER TO QUIT SENATE RACE
The accusations have intensified pressure on Platner’s campaign, with Democratic leaders withdrawing support for Platner and calling for him to step aside.
“The only reason they care now, as has been said, is that he’s proven that he’s now unelectable,” Libby said. “They would still be standing by their man if they thought he could still get elected despite the allegations of rape.”