Ashley Webb, Democrat activist, seeks Senate bid after Graham Platner exits race amid rape accusation

A New York Post Politics report says Ashley Webb, described as a trans activist, is seeking to replace Graham Platner on the Democratic line for a U.S. Senate race after Platner was forced out of the race earlier this month amid rape allegations raised by an ex-girlfriend. The report frames the nomination effort as occurring at a moment of upheaval for the party as it tries to fill the vacancy.

The report states that Platner’s departure followed public accusations of rape made by a former girlfriend, leading to immediate fallout inside the party and prompting a search for a replacement candidate. It does not provide additional court or charging information in the account summarized for this write-up.

According to the report, Webb has generated attention beyond the replacement process after her remarks in a debate went viral. The outlet characterizes the debate exchange as producing what it describes as an “absurd” answer, which the report says helped drive wide circulation of clip(s) and social media discussion.

Beyond the debate reaction, the underlying practical issue for voters and party officials is whether Webb can secure the nomination and remain eligible on ballots under the applicable state process and timelines for replacing a candidate who has exited. The report indicates that the replacement effort is already underway, but it does not specify which filing steps or deadlines are involved.

The dispute around Platner’s candidacy centers on allegations, which remain contested in the public record based on the limited reporting summarized here. Without an accompanying description of any legal proceedings, adjudication, or official findings in the available account, the allegations cannot be treated as resolved facts for purposes of this report.

What happens next, as reflected in the reporting, is the Democratic effort to finalize a replacement candidate and move through whatever nomination, ballot, and election-administration steps apply. The combination of a late candidate switch and a viral debate moment is likely to shape how the replacement candidacy is introduced to voters, even as the underlying case involving Platner remains a central point of contention in the coverage.