PORTLAND, Maine - A former girlfriend has accused U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner of grabbing her with enough force to cause marks on several occasions, yanking her out of a taxi by the wrist, and once twisting her arm behind her back before holding her inside a room during their relationship more than a decade earlier, based on a fresh account.

Lyndsey Fifield informed The New York Times that Platner, running as a Democrat, did not strike or punch her, yet the events left her distressed and fearful. Fifield, who works as a conservative activist, explained to the Times that she was involved with Platner for roughly two years beginning in 2013 while he attended George Washington University after completing his military duties.

The assertions appeared within a Times investigation into Platner's prior romantic involvements, where some ex-partners spoke favorably while others portrayed him as occasionally demeaning, unpredictable, or disloyal.

Jenny Racicot, who indicated she dated Platner intermittently from 2019 through 2021, also described to The Times actions that disturbed her. She noted that Platner arrived at her residence intoxicated in 2021 despite her request that he stay away. Racicot, a Maine Democrat, characterized his conduct as reckless and unsettling.

Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran leading in Tuesday's Democratic primary, rejected any violent conduct in remarks to the Associated Press. The Times noted he chose not to participate in an interview for their piece.

Throughout this campaign, I have discussed openly a challenging chapter in my life marked by undiagnosed PTSD, frequent self-medication through alcohol, and shortcomings as a partner, the statement read. I accept full accountability for those matters and regret not handling them better. Any further portrayal is inaccurate and I view it as driven by political aims. I am not proud of my past self, yet I take pride in the progress made since and the effort underway in Maine.

The Associated Press was unable to contact Fifield or Racicot successfully.

Platner, 41, has drawn large crowds across Maine through his strong voice and progressive stance. Lacking prior elected experience, he has centered his bid on concerns affecting working families such as housing and healthcare expenses. His expected contest against Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November holds importance for Democratic efforts to regain Senate control.

Fifield described that during drinking and disputes he could act roughly, including an event where he twisted her arm behind her back, pushed her into a bedroom, and kept the door shut from outside preventing her exit.

It caused pain, she told the publication, adding it produced no lasting harm and did not fracture her arm.

During an MS NOW appearance Thursday night, Platner told host Chris Hayes that Fifield's description of being forced into a room does not hold true. He stated the claims originated from an individual acting with political intent.

Certain elements here I fully own and have addressed publicly for months, Platner said. Yet those grave accusations simply lack truth.