Platner Defends Maine Senate Bid 4 Days Before Primary as Democrats Reel Over Toxic-Relationship Reports
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 6
Platner Defends Maine Senate Bid 4 Days Before Primary as Democrats Reel Over Toxic-Relationship Reports
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 6
Summary
Bar Harbor rallygoers heard Graham Platner defiantly reject allegations about his past, saying political opponents were “weaponizing” his history as Maine’s Democratic primary nears Tuesday.
Three women — one conservative and two Democrats — told The New York Times they had volatile, “toxic” romantic relationships with Platner, intensifying unease inside his party and attacks from Republicans.
Less than a week earlier, reports said Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, had warned his campaign last year that he had exchanged sexual messages with multiple other women.
The flare-up has hit one of 2026’s marquee Senate races, leaving some Democratic supporters anxious even as Platner remains the presumptive nominee against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.