The Democratic Party’s handpicked hope for flipping a crucial Senate seat is refusing to head for the exits — no matter how ugly the headlines get.
Progressive oyster farmer-turned-Senate candidate Graham Platner declared Thursday that he has “not once” considered abandoning his campaign, even as a fresh round of allegations threatens to turn what Democrats hoped would be a pickup opportunity into a political dumpster fire.
Asked directly whether he had thought about dropping out during the past week of damaging revelations, Platner gave a one-word answer: “No, not once.” He later added, “Amy and I knew early on that we were going to take lumps, and we’re dedicated to this, and it has never crossed our mind to drop out of this thing.”
That defiant message comes as Democrats brace for fallout from yet another round of troubling reports about the candidate they rallied behind after Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspended her own Senate bid and effectively cleared the runway for Platner to become the party’s standard-bearer.
But instead of spending the final days before the primary talking about policy, Platner is spending them batting away accusations from former romantic partners.
A recent report featured allegations from ex-girlfriends, including claims that Platner knew a controversial tattoo resembled a Nazi-linked symbol and allegedly referred to it as “my Totenkopf.” One former girlfriend also accused him of being physically rough with her, though no injuries were alleged and the claim was not independently verified.
Platner’s campaign forcefully denied the accusations and sought to undermine the credibility of one accuser by highlighting her work with Republican-affiliated political organizations.
The candidate himself was equally blunt. “There are some allegations in this piece that I just want to be kind of unequivocal about — are simply not true,” Platner said. “Anything alleging physicality, anything alleging that I knew what my tattoo was — these are the statements of someone who’s politically motivated.”
The latest controversy arrives only days after separate reports revealed Platner exchanged sexually explicit messages with multiple women early in his marriage — a disclosure that sent shockwaves through a race Democrats desperately need if they hope to reclaim Senate control.
Unlike many political spouses who flee for cover when scandal strikes, Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, has publicly stood by him and blasted media coverage of the sexting revelations.
Platner has acknowledged personal failures during that period of his life, particularly struggles with alcohol after returning from military service. “In this piece, there is a lot about my struggling, not being a good boyfriend, certainly self-medicating with alcohol, and I have been very upfront since the beginning of this campaign,” he said.
He also admitted, “I was a far from perfect boyfriend,” while insisting accusations beyond that description are false and politically motivated.
Democrats spent months pushing aside establishment favorite Janet Mills and consolidating behind Platner, betting that the political newcomer could energize voters and finally unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Mills ultimately suspended her campaign after falling behind, leaving Platner as the clear frontrunner for the nomination.
Now party strategists find themselves defending a candidate whose campaign has become defined as much by personal controversy as by policy proposals.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Maine remains one of the few realistic opportunities for Democrats to gain a Senate seat this cycle, making every new allegation, damaging headline and awkward explanation a national story.
For now, however, Platner is making one thing crystal clear: regardless of the scandals, the scrutiny or the panic spreading through Democratic circles, he isn’t leaving the race.
For now.
