Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jun 6
Sanders Backs Platner as Maine Senate Odds Fall to 54% After New Allegations
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jun 6

Sanders Backs Platner as Maine Senate Odds Fall to 54% After New Allegations

3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jun 6

Summary

  • 54% on Kalshi — down from 72% last month — left Graham Platner in a near toss-up against Sen. Susan Collins after new New York Times allegations from multiple women.
  • Bernie Sanders still reaffirmed support for Maine’s presumptive Democratic nominee, praising him on policy and not directly addressing claims that Platner created “toxic” relationships.
  • Platner denied allegations involving physicality, called some accusers politically motivated, and said he would only own up to past struggles with alcohol and being “not a good boyfriend.”
  • The latest scrutiny follows reports that Platner sent sexually explicit texts to several women; he and his wife have dismissed those disclosures as gossip ahead of Maine’s June 9 primary.

Insights

As scandals mount before an election, what is the breaking point for a candidate's powerful political allies?
Can a politician's claims of therapy overcome a documented pattern of disturbing allegations?
His wife confirms the sexting but attacks the leak. What does her complex public defense truly reveal?