This means he can be replaced with another Democrat
Graham Platner can be replaced as the Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine if he withdraws from the race by next Monday, and state law would then give the state Democratic Party until July 27 to name a replacement.
If your idea of “rape apologia” is “not believing every uncorroborated accusation” then how would you like it if I accused you of rape? Probably suddenly “tHaT’s DiFfErEnT!!1!1!1!”
You’re right about this though: his reputation is irreversibly damaged. Whether the accusation is true or not. But you can’t see how that’s potentially a bad thing?