Democratic Party Grapples with Graham Platner’s Past Amid Maine Senate Primary

Democratic anxiety grew on Friday over the personal history of Graham Platner, the party’s front‑runner for the Maine Senate seat, as officials and strategists debated how to address new reporting on his behavior.

The New York Times reported Thursday that several women who dated Platner described unsettling or intimidating conduct. One woman recalled instances of him grabbing or yanking her and said that, years ago while they were dating, he knew a tattoo on his chest resembled a Nazi symbol. (Other former partners said they felt safe with him.) The revelations follow earlier controversies involving the tattoo, sexual messages sent to women outside his marriage, and offensive online comments.

The heightened scrutiny of Platner, a progressive oyster farmer and political newcomer, deepened Democratic unease about the party’s likely nominee in the crucial race against Republican Senator Susan Collins. Many Democrats feared further damaging reports could emerge.

Several Democratic senators voiced concern; New Hampshire’s Maggie Hassan told Punchbowl News the reports were “serious and deserve scrutiny,” while others avoided the topic or downplayed the worries.

Platner, who is expected to win the Democratic primary on Tuesday, said Thursday night he would not withdraw.

Appearing on MS NOW, he acknowledged “not exactly acting with the best behavior” after his military service but denied physically harming an ex‑girlfriend and claimed he only recently learned the tattoo resembled Nazi imagery, which he has since covered.

Democrats must flip at least four Republican‑held Senate seats in the November midterms to gain a majority. Maine is the only GOP‑held Senate seat in a state Vice President Kamala Harris carried in 2024.

It remains unclear how Maine voters will react to the latest reporting. A poll for Platner’s campaign this week showed the general‑election race narrowing, while a Republican‑aligned super PAC poll showed it tied.

Collins told local reporters Friday that “the allegations in the latest story are troubling.” “I believe Graham Platner has a lot of questions to answer,” she added.

With the Maine primary only four days away and no clear alternative to Platner, worried Democrats brace for a range of undesirable outcomes. There is no mechanism to force Platner to end his campaign, and he lacks strong ties to party elders who might sway him.

“This is a really tough situation,” said Amanda Litman, president of Run for Something, a progressive group that has supported Platner. “There’s no clear answer, no obvious alternative, and many parties share responsibility—including Graham, the Democratic Party, and our failure to prepare.”

Representative Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania told CNN Friday that Platner had “disqualified himself in my eyes” from the race.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a Platner ally who introduced him at a Washington fundraiser, dismissed the Times article, calling it “a lot of nothing,” and noted that one of the accusers is a conservative who has worked for right‑leaning groups.

Even Platner’s staunchest defenders said he needs to explain his past conduct more clearly. Representative Ro Khanna of California, who is scheduled to appear with Platner at a Bar Harbor rally, called the candidate’s past relationships “toxic and volatile” and urged supporters not to attack the women or journalists involved.

“Platner must continue to accept responsibility for his past and speak to his redemption, which many Americans understand,” Khanna wrote to the Times.

In Maine, Democratic officials expressed uncertainty about how to process the news. Deb Dagnan, chair of the Piscataquis County Democrats, said Democrats were “feeling disappointed and apprehensive” and worried more revelations could surface.

State senator Mike Tipping, a Platner supporter, argued that the candidate’s PTSD from military service and the impact of Republican policies on Maine are more important than personal histories.

Campaign manager Ben Chin said, “We are deeply humbled by the support and loyalty of this movement. Mainers know Graham, understand what he stands for, and believe in what this campaign is fighting for.”

An aide to Governor Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign against Platner in April and has not endorsed him, declined to comment on speculation about a potential challenge.

Platner’s 25‑minute interview on MS NOW did not reassure all nervous Democrats. “I’m sorry, Platner does not sound like someone who is comfortable being held accountable,” wrote Symone Sanders Townsend, a former aide to Senator Bernie Sanders, on social media.

Veteran strategist Rob Flaherty said Democrats are likely to be stuck defending Platner, but the onus is on Platner to provide a credible account of his past, including what he knew about the tattoo.

“Many would say, ‘I’d rather have one imperfect, honest person than a hundred imperfect, dishonest ones,’” Flaherty noted, “but honesty is essential.”

Democrats acknowledge that Platner is unlikely to lose the Tuesday primary; the only way he would not become the nominee is if he voluntarily ends his campaign.

Tens of millions of dollars are expected to be spent on persuading Maine voters. The Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC supporting Republican Senate candidates, announced in April it will spend at least $42 million in the state. The Democratic counterpart, Senate Majority PAC, plans to spend at least $24 million on television ads, plus additional digital spending. Both Platner and Collins are prolific fund‑raisers, and other groups are expected to invest heavily in the race.

Recent major Democratic donors have largely accepted Platner as the nominee, according to two sources familiar with private donor conversations. The decision appears solidified after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer endorsed Platner following Governor Mills’ withdrawal.

“I think he should just keep doing exactly what he’s been doing—making sure every Mainer knows who he is and what he stands for,” said Amed Khan, a longtime Democratic fundraiser who has contributed the legal maximum to Platner’s campaign.

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