Updated
Updated · Press Herald · Jun 1
Graham Platner Loses Women Voters in Maine Race Over 2023 Texts and Past Remarks
Updated
Updated · Press Herald · Jun 1

Graham Platner Loses Women Voters in Maine Race Over 2023 Texts and Past Remarks

3 articles · Updated · Press Herald · Jun 1
  • Independent and Democratic women in Maine are peeling away from Graham Platner’s Senate bid after reports that he sent sexually explicit texts to multiple women after marrying in 2023.
  • The backlash has widened because the 41-year-old candidate also faces renewed scrutiny over past online comments, including profane attacks on women politicians and a post telling sexual-assault victims to take responsibility.
  • Supporters quoted in the report said Platner’s responses have been evasive and that they no longer trust him, threatening a coalition he needs to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
  • With Platner lacking prior political experience or a public record, the conduct questions are overshadowing issue-based campaigning and could redirect votes in next week’s primary to Gov. Janet Mills, who says she remains on the ballot despite suspending active campaigning.
Can an anti-establishment campaign survive after its candidate's controversial past is fully exposed?
How will ranked-choice voting affect a primary when the leading candidate faces a major scandal?
When should a candidate's past actions disqualify them from holding public office today?