Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner is pushing back against a sexting scandal that erupted over the weekend, releasing a campaign memo Wednesday that highlights his polling lead and a spike in fundraising as evidence the controversy won't sink his bid to unseat longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins.
The memo, obtained by The World Signal, cites a new survey from Democratic-affiliated Public Policy Polling that puts Platner up 49 to 45 percent among likely Maine voters, with 6 percent undecided. Crucially, the poll found that a majority of those undecided voters cast ballots for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race, suggesting a pool of persuadable Democrats. The survey also tested voter reaction to the sexting revelations, and Platner's lead held steady even when respondents were informed about the explicit messages he sent to other women.
The scandal broke Saturday when reports revealed that Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, had discovered the messages during their marriage and alerted his campaign. Gertner has since publicly backed her husband, stating they sought marriage counseling and criticizing media coverage. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, a top Platner ally, also defended him, arguing the issue is a private matter and that voters will focus on Platner's policy platform. Sanders dismissed the scandal as a personal issue, echoing the campaign's line that Maine voters care more about economic and healthcare concerns.
Platner's memo also notes a surge in small-dollar donations from within Maine since the story broke, framing this as grassroots backing that overrides negative headlines. The campaign pointed to local and national news articles quoting voters who said the revelations had not changed their support. Several Democratic senators, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, met with Platner in Washington on Tuesday and expressed confidence in his candidacy.
The memo comes as Democrats see Platner—a political newcomer with a plainspoken style—as one of their best chances to flip a Republican-held Senate seat. Collins has held the seat for five terms, but Maine has consistently voted for Democratic presidential candidates and statewide offices in recent years. The race is already drawing national attention, and the sexting scandal has tested voter tolerance. The episode has become a key test of whether personal misconduct can derail a populist candidate in a tight race.
“In Maine, the message from voters is steadfast: they care that you’re fighting for their hospitals, their wages, their housing, and their kids,” the memo states. “This campaign has always been about the ideas that will move Maine forward and past a broken politics of the past – just what the electorate and this moment demands.”
Despite the campaign's confidence, the scandal has already drawn sharp criticism from national media. Co-hosts on 'The View' blasted Platner over the sexting and his past remarks, highlighting the challenge of maintaining female voter support. The Platner campaign is betting that its polling and fundraising data will outweigh the negative coverage, but the race remains fluid as both sides mobilize.
