An ex-girlfriend has alleged that U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner physically assaulted her on multiple occasions while they dated more than a decade ago, including grabbing her hard enough to leave marks, pulling her from a cab by the wrist, and holding her in a room while twisting her arm.

Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, defended himself against allegations of physical intimidation toward women reported by the New York Times on Thursday. The oyster farmer and former Marine argued that his past conduct had been 'weaponized' ahead of the party primary scheduled for four days later.