Moore Calls On Platner To Drop Out, More Maryland Hopefuls Concede, In Political Notes

By Bryan P. Sears, Maryland Matters

July 8, 2026

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday joined a chorus of Democratic Party leaders calling on Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner to end his campaign following a sexual assault allegation that surfaced Monday.

Platner, a military veteran and oysterman, has been the subject of troubling accusations from former romantic partners. But Democrats, seeing a chance to oust longtime GOP Sen. Susan Collins, had stuck with their progressive standard-bearer in Maine — until now.

“These are horrific allegations, and he needs to get out of the race right now,” Moore told reporters Tuesday afternoon in Glen Burnie.

Platner so far has survived controversies ranging from a tattoo linked to Nazi symbolism, old social media posts and past relationships with women, including accusations of marital infidelity. On Monday, Politico published a report based on an interview with Jenny Racicot, who said an intoxicated Platner came to her home uninvited in 2021 and forced himself on her. In a later interview with CNN, she said she considered the incident rape.

Platner denied the allegations but, in a video statement on social media, said he would “reflect on the best path forward.”

Since then, Democratic Party leaders from around the country who supported Planter have now withdrawn that support and called for his exit from the campaign. Moore told reporters he “can’t answer” for other party leaders who stood by Platner as troubling early reports surfaced.

When asked if it was time for Planter to withdraw from the race, Moore said: “Absolutely it is. It is well past time. These allegations are horrific, and there is no place for him to be representing a jurisdiction, and so he needs to get out right now.”

After the counting, the conceding

Local election boards were mostly finished counting ballots Monday from the June 23 primary election, sparking another round of concessions from candidates in close, and some not so close, races who had been holding out hope that the numbers might turn in their favor.

At least four state and local candidates threw in the towel in the span of 24 hours Tuesday, two weeks after polls closed. The state has until July 23 to officially certify results.

In the District 45 Democratic primary, two-term Del. Stephanie Smith (D-Baltimore City) congratulated the three winning candidates in a statement posted to her social media on Tuesday morning, and thanked her constituents for the opportunity to represent them. In returns posted Tuesday at 4:54 p.m., Smith finished with 6,543 votes, trailing former Del. Chanel Branch who had 6,842 and incumbent Dels. Caylin Young and Jackie Addison, with 7,224 and 7,620 votes, respectively.

“Service is a lifestyle and it never rests in any one title,” Smith wrote in her statement. “While this is not the desired outcome, I am excited about new possibilities to serve.”

Longtime Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger, in a short statement Tuesday, congratulated Sarah David, who finished with 54% of the vote to his 27%. Shellenberger was second out of three Democratic candidates, claiming 22,680 votes to David’s 45,988.

Shellenberger, who held the office for 19 years, said he would work to ensure a “smooth and seamless transition” for David, who is running unopposed in the general election.

In the race for the District 27A delegate seat, Yonelle Moore Lee conceded Monday afternoon to freshman Del. Darrell Odom Sr. (D-Prince George’s). It was a rematch for the two, who competed in January for the then-vacant seat to which Odom was ultimately appointed. He had 2,400 votes Tuesday to her 2,123.

“I’m obviously disappointed. No one runs not to win,” Moore Lee, an attorney from Charles County, said in an interview Monday. “I’m trying to be optimistic. It wasn’t a blowout. I’m thankful for all the support I received. This is not going to be the end for me. What happens next, I’m not sure.”

Odom will face Republican nominee Jim Crawford in the general election.

Also Monday afternoon, first-time candidate and real estate adviser Kevin Ford Jr. conceded to Del. Tiffany Alston (D-Prince George’s) in the race for the District 24 state Senate seat. Alston finished with 59% of the vote to Ford’s 41%.

Ford said he called to congratulate Alston after the election and said he respects the voters’ decision.

“Campaigns are competitive by nature, but public service requires humility, respect, and a willingness to keep the needs of the community above personal ambition,” his statement read. “District 24 deserves leaders who can compete, shake hands, and then find ways to work together for the people we all serve.”

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: scrane@marylandmatters.org. Follow Maryland Matters on Facebook and Twitter.