John W
Do they really believe he has a chance?
Friday, June 05, 2026, 12:05

Here in Maine, a man named Graham Platner is running against Senator Susan Collins.

He was ahead in a variety of polls as the poster boy for the progressives but lately there has been some serious scandals that have emerged.

Sexting Allegations-Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, discovered sexually explicit messages he had sent to multiple women shortly after their marriage in 2024 and informed his campaign in 2025. The campaign initially treated the matter as private, but the texts became public, sparking widespread scrutiny. Platner’s campaign confirmed the messages existed, though Platner and Gertner emphasized that they had worked through the issues in counseling and maintained a strong marriage . Platner has stated he stopped engaging in such communications before his Senate candidacy

Past Controversial Behavior-Platner has faced criticism for past online posts and statements. These include Reddit posts with sexist, racist, and violent content, as well as comments dismissive of military sexual assaults. He has publicly apologized for these remarks and attributed some to post-traumatic stress and experiences in the military

. Additionally, he previously had a tattoo resembling a Nazi Totenkopf, which he later covered and publicly addressed, asserting he was unaware of its full historical significance at the time.

Allegations of “Toxic” Relationships
The New York Times reported that multiple women who had dated Platner described him as creating “toxic” relationships, with some alleging rough behavior during interactions, though no physical assault was independently corroborated. Platner disputes claims of physical intimidation but acknowledges past remarks and behavior that were offensive or inappropriate .

Campaign Context
Platner, a Marine Corps veteran and oyster farmer, emerged as a populist outsider in Maine politics, leading to the withdrawal of Governor Janet Mills from the Democratic primary. His campaign emphasizes economic populism and working-class advocacy, which has helped maintain voter support despite personal controversies .

In all honesty, I don't know how someone could vote for such a horrible person. But then again, District 1 along the coast has become very lefty. Maine ain't what it used to be.