Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 10
Troy Jackson Defends Backing Graham Platner as July 13 Maine Ballot Deadline Nears
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 10

Troy Jackson Defends Backing Graham Platner as July 13 Maine Ballot Deadline Nears

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 10

Summary

  • MS NOW pressed Troy Jackson on Thursday over why he kept supporting Graham Platner through earlier controversies before a recent rape allegation led Platner to suspend his Maine Senate campaign.
  • Jackson said Platner had offered plausible explanations for a Nazi tattoo, Reddit posts and other past issues, but called a credible sexual-assault allegation a red line and said Platner had lied about his past.
  • That defense was undercut by Jackson's continued support after a New York Times report last month described Platner allegedly grabbing and pushing ex-girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield during their relationship.
  • Jackson has already filed FEC paperwork to potentially replace Platner, whose withdrawal deadline is Monday, July 13; if he exits in time, Maine Democrats have until July 27 to pick a new nominee.
  • The scrutiny lands in a fluid Democratic race where Jackson is a longtime Bernie Sanders ally, while Sanders has not yet endorsed a replacement candidate.

Insights

After a chosen candidate's collapse, how can a party regain voter trust?
Should a candidate's personal conduct be overlooked for their political platform?
When does a political ally's controversial past become too toxic to ignore?