Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., told Newsmax on Wednesday that newly minted Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner could face additional damaging revelations during Maine's closely watched race because he has never undergone the scrutiny that comes with running for national office.
Smith acknowledged on "American Agenda" concerns surrounding Platner, who defeated establishment-backed rivals Tuesday to become the Democratic nominee against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
"There's no question Graham Platner is a flawed candidate, and he's going to have a lot of explaining to do throughout this campaign about all of the issues that have been raised," Smith said. "And it is concerning, no doubt about it."
Asked whether Republicans could have additional opposition research waiting to be released, Smith said that possibility comes with nominating a political newcomer.
"Oh, sure. I mean, that's usually the way these things work. It rarely all comes out at once," Smith said. "So, you don't know what else could be coming, and that's part of having a completely untested person running for the Senate."
Smith noted that Platner has "never run for office before, never held office before, never been subject to this type of public scrutiny."
"Like I said, they've not been vetted before," Smith added. "And you don't know exactly what's in a candidate like this background."
Platner has faced scrutiny over past social media activity, allegations from former romantic partners and a tattoo linked to Nazi imagery, for which he has publicly expressed regret.
Smith criticized Platner's response in a recent interview in which the nominee suggested there was "nothing out there that's actually concerning."
"The better answer for Graham Platner would have been, yes, there are a number of things that are concerning. I take responsibility for those. I can explain those," Smith said.
Referring to the tattoo controversy, Smith said Platner initially handled questions about it more effectively by acknowledging it and explaining how he had changed.
"He said, yes, I did that. Here's where I was at. Here's why I'm a different person now," Smith said. "I think he needs to stay in that lane."
Smith also warned that the controversy risks overshadowing Democrats' policy message heading into the midterms.
"It's not good to have a candidate who's had a tattoo associated with Nazis on his body," Smith said. "It leads to all kinds of questions and explanations and leads us away from the fundamental issues that we want to talk about."
Those issues, he said, include "affordability, the cost of healthcare, the cost of gasoline, the cost of housing" and economic inequality.
"All these other things distract from his ability to do that," Smith said.
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