Graham Platner Holds 80th-Plus Maine Town Hall as New Allegations Shadow Senate Primary
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 8
Graham Platner Holds 80th-Plus Maine Town Hall as New Allegations Shadow Senate Primary
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 8
Summary
Two days before Maine’s Democratic primary, Graham Platner held a Portland town hall without directly addressing fresh allegations about his past treatment of women, taking five audience questions instead.
Thursday’s New York Times report said several former partners were disturbed by his behavior and questioned his claim about a chest tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol; Platner said he was a “bad boyfriend” but denied physical abuse.
That followed Wall Street Journal reporting that he exchanged sexual text messages with other women after marrying in 2023, adding to scrutiny over old Reddit posts and the tattoo.
More than 80 town halls have been central to Platner’s campaign, which still appears likely to win the primary despite Democrats’ unease and Gov. Janet Mills remaining on the ballot after suspending her campaign.
Maine is a pivotal Senate battleground because Susan Collins is the only Republican senator seeking reelection in a state Kamala Harris won in 2024, making the race central to Democrats’ hopes of retaking the chamber.