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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urged Democrats to move on from Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, after Platner was accused of sexual assault and said he was dropping out of his race.
When asked about Platner during a press conference Thursday, Newsom responded that he was “looking forward to the nominating process, supporting a Democrat in that race.”
“I’m already, I, you know — forgive me — turn the page and move on. I can’t get into the merit — the merits of what they do in Maine in terms of that vetting process, et cetera. I just don’t know enough to have an informed opinion,” the Golden State governor responded.
“Clearly, there wasn’t enough vetting done, so, that’s by definition — table stakes — in this conversation. But for me, the stake in the ground is, what do we do to win and move forward?”
Platner is set to formally withdraw from the Maine Senate race next week. On Wednesday, he announced that he was suspending campaign operations amid mounting controversy.
A source close to the campaign confirmed to The Hill that the oyster farmer has told staff he’ll file paperwork to drop out Monday. He announced on Wednesday that he would exit the race following fresh allegations in recent days that came after other controversies faced by his campaign.
A woman alleged Platner raped her five years ago, Politico reported, and another woman who dated Platner alleged to The Washington Post that Platner removed condoms without her consent while having sex. Platner has denied the allegations.
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