Maine Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner traveled to Washington Tuesday for a meeting with Senate Democrats as he tries to contain the damage from a fresh wave of scandals threatening his campaign to unseat Republican Susan Collins. The closed-door session, held at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headquarters, was overshadowed by reports that Platner sent sexually explicit messages to multiple women on the messaging app Kik while married.
Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, reportedly discovered the texts last year and flagged them to his campaign. This latest controversy adds to a string of past issues, including deleted Reddit posts containing offensive comments about Black people and sexual assault, as well as a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol that drew criticism in October.
The meeting had been planned before the texting scandal broke, but the revelations dominated the visit. A small group of senators attended, including DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and progressives Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Several lawmakers came and went, and Platner declined to answer questions from reporters as he left.
Outside, about 20 protesters demonstrated, some wearing towels around their waists—a reference to a reported Kik profile photo of Platner in a towel. Other senators skipped the meeting, citing scheduling conflicts. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said he might attend if he could find childcare, while Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) noted it was election day in his state. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) called it a “weird little meeting time” given the busy schedule after the congressional break.
Platner, a progressive oyster farmer and political newcomer, is seen as pivotal to Democrats’ hopes of retaking the Senate. He faces Collins in a state where Democrats have consistently won other offices. While party leaders publicly back him, some privately worry his personal record is a liability. One Senate Democrat who didn’t attend said there’s “a lot of concern” that more revelations could surface, noting this latest one seemed “out of left field.”
“It is amazing that all of his endorsers have stood by him,” the senator added. The controversy touches on a sensitive issue for Democrats: sexual misconduct, especially after recent resignations of both a Republican and a Democratic lawmaker over similar allegations. In Texas, Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton has faced scrutiny over his divorce and infidelity claims.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who often breaks with his party, was blunt. “I think you shouldn’t send sexually explicit texts or dick pics or whatever he sends to all these women on Kik,” he told reporters. “It’s truly bizarre. What’s next?” Fetterman compared the situation to former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s scandals, saying he won’t “carry water for that guy.”
Despite the turmoil, Platner’s poll numbers have held steady. Senate leaders are not backing away. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) doubled down Tuesday, saying he “endorsed” Platner—though he hasn’t formally done so—and repeatedly stated, “We’re going to beat Susan Collins and take back the Senate.” Gillibrand echoed that confidence, telling reporters Monday that “Senator Collins has never been weaker.”
The episode raises broader questions about how much voters weigh a candidate’s personal history. Recent primaries in other states, like the New Mexico governor race and Iowa Senate contest, have shown that character issues can cut both ways. For now, Democrats are betting Platner’s vulnerabilities won’t sink their chance to flip a key seat.
