A former top aide to Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has broken ranks, urging Maine Democrats to look elsewhere on the eve of Tuesday's primary. Former state Rep. Genevieve McDonald, who served as Platner's political director for two months last fall, published an op-ed in The Washington Post Monday arguing that the populist oyster farmer is unfit for office.
“Democrats are being sold a narrative that Platner is the only choice for the race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Maine voters don’t have to accept that,” McDonald wrote. She pointed to two other candidates still on the ballot and noted that even if Platner wins the nomination, party leaders could still replace him at a convention if he withdraws. “The answer to a broken political culture is not to accept it. Demand better from those entrusted with power or seeking it. Enough is enough.”
Platner has been the presumptive frontrunner to challenge Collins, a five-term Republican seen as the most vulnerable Senate GOP incumbent this cycle. Governor Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign in April as Platner consolidated support, remains on the ballot and has quietly reminded voters of her availability. Cook Political Report rates the Maine seat as a toss-up.
The controversy surrounding Platner has escalated in recent weeks, following revelations that he sent sexually explicit messages to multiple women early in his marriage—details McDonald confirmed in her op-ed. The New York Times also published accounts from former girlfriends who alleged physical roughness and that Platner knew a now-covered tattoo was a Nazi symbol. Platner has denied those allegations, telling MS NOW last week that claims of physicality and knowledge of the tattoo were “simply not true” and politically motivated. He acknowledged struggling after military service, saying, “I’ve been very upfront since the beginning of this campaign that that was a pretty dark period of my life after I came back from my combat service.”
The discord comes as national Democrats have largely stuck behind Platner, despite the mounting scrutiny. The scandal has exposed deep partisan divides over how to handle abuse allegations, with some voices in the party calling for higher standards. Representative Ro Khanna has defended Platner, arguing that Maine voters were aware of his “dark” past, while Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Suozzi have condemned him, demanding accountability. A Marine veteran also weighed in, arguing that Platner cannot hide behind PTSD in his Senate bid.
McDonald’s defection underscores the internal unease. She wrote that Platner “is not someone who would be good for Maine or for the country,” and her call to action may resonate with primary voters who are still undecided. The Hill has reached out to Platner’s campaign for further comment.
