Democrats endorsed first and vetted later

Democrats abandon Graham Platner en masse after new sexual assault allegation rocks Maine Senate race

The most consequential blow came from party leadership. Schumer and Gillibrand issued a joint statement through the DSCC that went beyond moral disapproval and into raw political hardball:

"Graham Platner needs to immediately withdraw as the Democratic nominee for Senate and allow Maine Democrats the opportunity to choose a new candidate who can defeat Susan Collins. The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot."

That statement carries real weight. Without DSCC money, a Senate campaign in a competitive state is effectively dead on arrival.

The party's campaign arm didn't just ask Platner to leave. It told him the money spigot was already shut.

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