Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner remains the party's presumptive nominee despite mounting controversies, with key Democratic leaders standing by him as he faces scrutiny over a series of scandals. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reiterated his support for Platner during a press conference, stating, "We’re going to beat Susan Collins and take back the Senate," despite repeated questions about Platner’s political baggage. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) also defended Platner, arguing that the candidate has "the guts" to fight billionaires and that the scandals are being amplified because of his progressive stance. However, other Democrats, including Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), have criticized Platner, comparing the party’s support for him to its past defense of disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.).
Platner’s controversies include:
- Sexting allegations: Reports surfaced that Platner sent sexually explicit messages to multiple women while married, which his wife, Amy Gertner, discovered in 2025 and reported to his campaign.
- Nazi-linked tattoo: Platner has a covered-up chest tattoo resembling a Totenkopf, a symbol associated with Nazi SS units. He has denied any affiliation with Nazism, claiming he was unaware of the symbol’s significance when he got the tattoo.
- Reddit posts: Unearthed social media posts show Platner making crude remarks, including mocking a U.S. soldier and describing inappropriate behavior in porta-potties.
Despite these scandals, Platner leads Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) by 8-9 points in recent polls. However, some Democrats, including Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), have expressed concerns about Platner’s ability to win the general election. Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), who dropped out of the race in April, has hinted at a potential return, which could further complicate the Democratic primary.
Platner’s campaign has framed the controversies as "gossip" and emphasized his policy positions, including healthcare reform and taxing the wealthy. The Democratic Party’s strategy appears to be focusing on defeating Collins, even as Platner’s personal scandals continue to draw criticism.