Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania warned Sunday that Congress must set a higher bar for its members, as Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner faces mounting allegations of misconduct in Maine. Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," Fitzpatrick and Representative Tom Suozzi, a New York Democrat, weighed in on the controversy surrounding Platner, who is challenging incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
Fitzpatrick said the latest reports about Platner's past behavior toward women are "very, very troubling." He stressed that while voters ultimately decide, lawmakers have a duty to speak clearly. "We have to set a higher bar," Fitzpatrick said. "Americans expect and deserve better."
The discussion follows a New York Times report detailing interviews with three of Platner's former girlfriends. Some described him as caring, while others called him "toxic." Lyndsey Fifield, a conservative from Virginia who dated Platner from 2013 to 2015, said he was physically rough at times and that she knew a tattoo on his chest resembled a Nazi symbol. Platner apologized for the tattoo last year and later covered it up.
Suozzi said he has been "unsettled" by Platner "for a long time about the issues and the positions he takes on issues, not just these allegations about his personal conduct." Fitzpatrick noted he has voted to expel both Democratic and Republican lawmakers from Congress and to strip members of committee assignments, adding, "I've been consistent on this. I know Tom has been as well."
Platner disputed most of the allegations, including those suggesting physical abuse or assault, telling MS NOW in an interview Thursday that some of the more serious claims "are simply not true." The Times report followed a Wall Street Journal story about sexually explicit text messages Platner sent to multiple women while married. His wife, Amy Gertner, called the media coverage "shameful" and received a standing ovation at a Friday rally, with supporters chanting her name.
The controversy has rattled Democrats, who see Maine as a critical pickup opportunity. Recent polling from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and YouGov shows Platner leading Collins 48% to 43% in a hypothetical general election. But some party strategists worry the scandals could undermine their chances. For more on the political calculus, see our analysis of how Democrats are weighing risks in Maine against hopes in Iowa.
Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who endorsed Platner, has defended the candidate. "I'm sure he's not a saint," Sanders told CNN's Kaitlan Collins. He added that Platner "went through some very bloody and horrible situations. He has acknowledged that he came back with PTSD. He's had his share of problems." For more on Sanders's stance, read our coverage of how Sanders defends his endorsed candidate amid sexting and tattoo controversies.
Fitzpatrick and Suozzi's joint condemnation highlights a rare bipartisan moment, but it also underscores the broader challenge Platner faces in convincing voters he can represent Maine with integrity. As Fitzpatrick put it, "We have to set a higher bar." For a deeper dive into the allegations, see our report on new allegations of toxic behavior from Platner's ex-girlfriends.
