Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing renewed scrutiny after his wife, Amy Gertner, disclosed to his campaign team that she had found sexually explicit texts on his phone from other women. The revelation, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, occurred during an internal vetting process last year. Gertner, who married Platner in November 2023, told the campaign’s then-political director, Genevieve McDonald, about the texts to ensure they did not pose a risk to his campaign. The campaign ultimately decided the matter was private and handled it through marriage counseling.
Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee in Maine’s Senate race, where he is challenging incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). A recent University of New Hampshire poll shows him leading Collins by nine percentage points in a hypothetical matchup. The race is seen as crucial for Democratic efforts to gain control of the Senate.
Controversies and Campaign Strategy
Platner’s campaign has been marked by several controversies, including derogatory social media posts, a controversial tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol (which he later covered), and since-deleted Reddit comments questioning the Armenian genocide. He has attributed some of his past controversial statements to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his time in the Marines and serving in Iraq.
Democratic Party Divisions
The campaign has also exposed divisions within the Democratic Party. Michael LaRosa, a former press secretary for First Lady Jill Biden, criticized the party’s support for Platner, calling it a "dangerous game." LaRosa expressed shock that some Democrats were backing Platner despite his past controversies, including the Nazi tattoo. He argued that the party should not support a candidate with such a record, even if the goal is to defeat Collins.
Platner’s Response
In a statement provided by the campaign, Gertner defended her husband, saying, "I know the man I married and the husband he has been to me on the best and worst days of my life. That hasn’t changed, and it won’t." She also expressed hurt over the disclosure of private details, calling it a "betrayal and invasion of privacy."
Campaign Dynamics
Platner has run a populist, anti-establishment campaign, drawing support from progressive figures like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). His working-class background and outsider appeal have resonated with voters, but his past controversies continue to raise questions about his electability and the Democratic Party’s willingness to overlook them in pursuit of a Senate majority.