Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign on Wednesday, ending his bid to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins after a woman accused him of sexual assault, according to CNN and Politico.
Platner announced the decision in a video statement and has denied the allegation.
The woman told the two outlets that Platner sexually assaulted her about five years ago, when they were in a casual dating relationship. Platner said the encounter did not happen as she described.
Several Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, one of Platner’s closest allies, had called on him to leave the race after the reporting.
The Maine Democratic Party said it will hold a nominating convention to choose a replacement. The party has about two weeks to name a new candidate before the general election.
The seat is one of the most closely watched of the November midterms, with control of the Senate at stake.
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