Maine Senate Hopeful Platner Splits Democrats

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Many Democrats have had enough of Graham Platner, their presumptive nominee for senator in Maine, amid more damaging revelations about his past.

A New York Times report described several relationships Platner had in the past, including one where he locked a woman in a room and forcefully grabbed her by the arm.

The woman also said Platner knew his tattoo on his chest resembled a Nazi symbol when he got it.

Platner denied the allegations in an interview with MS NOW.

Last week, it was revealed Platner was sexting other women despite being married.

While some Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., continue to stand behind him, others are getting sick of having to answer for Platner's latest misdeeds.

Platner is running against longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins; the seat is considered essential for Democrats to regain a majority in the Senate.

"Democrats in Maine and throughout the country have got to decide what is their priority: Justifying Graham Platner's behavior or winning the Democratic seat in Maine," Robert Zimmerman, a member of the Democratic National Committee, told Politico.

"It's very clear that Platner has not been able to credibly justify his conduct and Democrats who defend him sound like Republicans defending Donald Trump after the Access Hollywood tape," Zimmerman added.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., said he wants another candidate to be the nominee.

"If he were running in [New] Jersey, he'd either be thrown off the ballot or buried under the Meadowlands," Gottheimer said.

"I think people in Maine should consider a different candidate right now. You know, Janet Mills is still on the ballot. I think people should be voting for another Democrat next week," he added, referring to Gov. Janet Mills, whose name remains on the ballot even though she suspended her Senate campaign in April.

Cheyenne Hunt, who helped bring down Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., over allegations of sexual assault, has rescinded her support for Platner.

"We have the responsibility to do what is right even when it's politically inconvenient," she said in a video posted on social media. "Women cannot be an acceptable sacrifice for the next election."

Other donors and Democrats have said they care only about Susan Collins. Collins is the only Republican senator up for reelection in a state won by Kamala Harris in 2024.

Platner has said he will not leave the race. Democrats can replace him with another candidate if he drops out of the race before mid-July.

Sam Barron

Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.

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