One of Graham Platner’s top political advisers said he and others suggested Platner drop out of the Maine Senate race when they “became aware of the rape allegations.”
“As soon as the team became aware of the rape allegations against Graham Platner we advised he suspend his candidacy, and in the following days worked to wind down the campaign,” Democratic strategist Morris Katz wrote on X on Thursday. “Like so many of his supporters, I’m deeply disappointed.”
The social media post is Katz’s first public comment since POLITICO’s report Monday that a woman said Platner forced her to have sex with him, which he denies.
Katz also confirmed in a follow-up post that Platner plans to file the paperwork to officially terminate his campaign. The Maine Secretary of State’s office has not yet received the paperwork, according to a spokesperson. Platner has until 5 p.m. Monday to formally withdraw.
The 27-year-old Democratic strategist — who also advises New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other progressive candidates — helped recruit Platner for his Senate bid last summer and helped produce the viral launch video that supercharged the oysterman’s campaign.
In recent days, Katz has faced scrutiny over the campaign vetting process for Platner.
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