Author Stephen King has clarified his stance on Graham Platner, a Democratic Maine Senate candidate accused of sexual assault. King initially expressed hope that Platner would not drop out of the race, but later stated that if Platner committed rape, he should bow out.

Platner’s Accusations

Maine resident Jenny Racicot, 41, has accused Platner of entering her home uninvited and forcing her to have sex despite her telling him to stop several times in 2021. Platner has denied the allegations.

Several prominent Democratic figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have called on Platner to suspend his campaign. However, King’s initial comments sparked outrage on social media, with some users accusing him of dismissing the rape allegation.

King’s Clarification

King later clarified his stance, stating that he was not defending Platner and that if Platner committed rape, he should bow out of the race. Despite this clarification, King’s comments continue to draw backlash from some social media users.

The controversy surrounding Platner’s campaign comes as Democrats seek to defeat incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins. If Platner suspends his campaign before July 13, the Maine Democratic Party will be able to replace him on the general election ballot with another candidate.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.