A former girlfriend of Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner came forward on Tuesday with allegations that he would remove condoms during sex without her consent.
The ex-partner’s allegations are the latest for Platner after a bombshell report on Monday alleged Platner sexually assaulted a different ex-girlfriend, which ultimately led Democrats and institutions to rescind their endorsements and urge him to withdraw from the race.
Lyndsey Fifield, who dated Platner from 2013 to 2015, told the Washington Post that she told Platner on multiple occasions to wear a condom during intercourse, as she was not on birth control, but Platner would remove the contraceptive in a “sneaky way” without her consent.
In Maine, removing a condom after consensual partners agree to its use, which is called “stealthing,” is illegal under a 2023 law. The law gives victims of stealthing a legal pathway to sue their perpetrators.
Fifield said Platner removed condoms around six times during their two-year on-and-off relationship. Upon confronting him, she said Platner did not take her concerns seriously.
“I confronted him both during and after [sex] because he knew that I was not on birth control and how dangerous that was,” she told the Washington Post in one interview. “He would act like cute about it, like ‘Oh sneaky me,’” she said in another interview with the outlet.
Fifield previously came forward with accusations of physical abuse in an interview with the outlet but mentioned the alleged condom removal off the record. Her going public follows Jenny Racicot, 41, who told Politico that Platner had drunkenly entered her home uninvited and sexually assaulted her. Fifield said she chose to disclose the alleged circumstances with Platner to show Racicot she is not alone in her experience.
Platner has denied the allegations brought forward by Racicot and has maintained that “any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is categorically false.” When Fifield previously came forward with allegations of abuse, Platner said he was a “far from a perfect boyfriend,” and pointed to his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Following Racicot’s allegations, Platner shared a video on social media, saying he would take time to “reflect” and find the “best path forward” for his campaign. While Platner has not withdrawn from the race to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), multiple lawmakers, including his strongest supporter, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have called for him to withdraw from the race.
Platner would need to withdraw by July 13 for a state party nominating committee to appoint a new candidate by July 27 to take on Collins. Those withdrawing their support have called for Platner to withdraw before the deadline so a new Democratic candidate can be selected, as the party sees Maine as essential in taking back the Senate.