As Maine voters headed to the polls Tuesday in a closely watched Democrat Senate primary, Maine Republican Party Chairman Jim Deyermond argued that Democrat leaders failed to properly vet front-runner Graham Platner despite a growing list of allegations that have dogged the candidate's campaign.

Speaking on Newsmax's "National Report" ahead of the primary, Deyermond said he was not surprised Platner remained competitive despite allegations of abuse, reports that he sent sexually explicit messages to women during his marriage, and scrutiny over a tattoo resembling a Nazi SS symbol.

"No, not at all," Deyermond said when asked whether he was surprised by Platner's standing in the race. "They're looking for people like this around the country to run in races. And they found one. And they're pushing him forward. And ... I'm not surprised at all."

Platner, a Marine veteran and former local official, entered Tuesday's primary as the leading Democratic candidate to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races. Collins, who faces no Republican primary opposition, is seeking another term and remains one of the GOP's most prominent incumbents.

The Democrat candidate has faced mounting scrutiny in recent weeks over reports that he sent sexually explicit text messages to multiple women while married, allegations of abusive behavior by a former girlfriend that he denies, and renewed questions about a tattoo resembling the Nazi Totenkopf symbol that he says he received unknowingly while serving overseas and has since covered.

Deyermond pointed to an opinion piece written by Platner's former political director, who argued the Democrat should not serve in the Senate.

"People are forced finally to realize that this was a mistake and they didn't do their due diligence in vetting this gentleman," Deyermond said. "He was recruited, let's be certain about that, he was recruited by the left and unfortunately, this is what happens when you don't do a good enough job."

The Maine Republican chairman also suggested that support from prominent Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., has faded as additional allegations emerged.

"You don't see AOC talking about him, and you don't see many of the other people that were backing him, Cory Booker," Deyermond said. "So it's kind of funny, but I really see that people are forced finally to realize that this was a mistake."

Deyermond also claimed Democratic officials were informed about concerns involving Platner before endorsing his candidacy.

"I don't think they care. I think it's all about power. It's all about winning. And they'll do whatever the whatever the heck they need to do to get it done," he said. "They went out and found someone who they thought was a socialist and they didn't do a very good job at looking into his background."

Looking ahead, Deyermond predicted additional scrutiny for the Democratic candidate.

"I'm sorry to say that I think what you've seen is just the tip of the iceberg. I think there's many more issues coming out against Mr. Platner in the future," he said. "I don't see the Democrats pulling away. I think they're stuck."

The winner of Tuesday's Democratic primary will face Collins in November in a race expected to help determine control of the Senate.

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