Progressive Democrat and oyster farmer Graham Platner is pushing back hard against a fresh wave of allegations about his past behavior, even as Maine voters prepare for Senate primaries and Republican incumbent Susan Collins publicly describes the claims against her likely opponent as “troubling.”
Platner returned to the campaign trail Friday, a day after The New York Times published interviews with three former girlfriends who detailed what they described as toxic and unsettling conduct during their relationships with him.
“Since the beginning, Maine, you had my back,” Platner told a crowd of supporters who gave him a warm reception, according to NBC News. “When hurtful things I said on the Internet a decade ago came out into the public as I shared my personal journey through PTSD and darkness of recovery and accountability and growth — Maine had my back.”
He went on to say that the state has continued to stand by him as “every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated, and weaponized” — a clear reference to the latest round of scrutiny.
While some of his former partners described Platner as a caring boyfriend, others painted a darker picture. Lyndsey Fifield, a Virginia conservative who dated Platner from 2013 to 2015, told the Times he could be physically rough with her at times. She also claimed he knew that a controversial tattoo—since covered up—resembled a Nazi symbol before it became public last year.
Platner has disputed many of the allegations, particularly any suggestion of physical abuse or assault, suggesting they may be “politically motivated.”
“There are some allegations in this piece that, I just want to be kind of unequivocal about, are simply not true,” he told MS NOW on Thursday. “There are things in this that I absolutely will take responsibility for, and have been speaking about openly for months now, but those serious allegations are just not true.”
The revelations come on the heels of a sexting scandal that rocked his campaign earlier this spring. His wife, Amy Gertner, discovered sexually explicit texts he had exchanged with multiple women during their relationship, according to The Wall Street Journal. Gertner has since defended her husband, calling the media coverage “shameful.” At Friday’s rally, supporters gave her a standing ovation, chanting her name.
Platner has long been viewed as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, especially after his main challenger, Gov. Janet Mills, suspended her campaign in late April. If he wins the primary, he will face Collins in a general election that Democrats see as critical to their hopes of retaking the Senate.
Collins broke her silence on the matter Friday, telling Portland-area outlet WMTW that the allegations are “troubling” and that Platner “has a lot of questions to answer.” She added, “That’s really up to the people of Maine, so we’ll see what happens.”
The race has drawn national attention, with progressive groups closely watching Platner’s bid. Some have argued that the party faces a tough choice between polarizing with figures like Platner or winning back working-class voters. Meanwhile, the escalating allegations have led some to suggest Platner has disqualified himself.
