Common Defense Rescinds Endorsement of Graham Platner and Calls for Him to Withdraw

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Common Defense has reviewed the alarming sexual assault allegations reported today regarding Graham Platner, whom our organization previously endorsed in the Maine Senate race.

We take these allegations seriously. Integrity, accountability, and respect are foundational to everything Common Defense stands for, and we hold every candidate we support to that standard without exception. 

We are officially rescinding our endorsement effective immediately and are calling for Platner to withdraw from the Senate race. The people of Maine deserve better.

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Common Defense Civic Engagement (501c4) (CDCE) is a grassroots, veteran-led organization that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.