Maine Senate candidate drops out, citing Platner's post on military rape

The Hill•Friday, October 24, 2025 at 7:11:12 PM

Daira Smith-Rodriguez has suspended her Senate campaign in Maine, expressing her support for Governor Janet Mills. This decision comes after fellow candidate Graham Platner made comments that downplayed the seriousness of military rape, which Smith-Rodriguez found unacceptable. Her withdrawal highlights the ongoing challenges within the Democratic primary and the potential for Republican candidates to benefit from a divided Democratic vote. This situation underscores the importance of addressing sensitive issues like military sexual assault in political discourse.

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