The debate over Graham Platner continues among Democrats.
Graham Platner’s recent triumph in Maine’s Democratic Senate primary has, for the moment, silenced discussions about replacing him as the party’s candidate, despite recent scandals. Following the announcement of his victory on Tuesday night, the party’s campaign organizations quickly expressed their support. Progressives celebrated the win, urging their colleagues to unite behind the Maine nominee.
However, a small but significant group of Democrats on Capitol Hill remains uneasy about Platner’s controversial history, which has unsettled some voters in Maine. They worry about its potential impact on their efforts to unseat Senator Susan Collins and regain control of the Senate in November.
On Wednesday, several senators refrained from endorsing Platner when questioned by POLITICO.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a possible contender for 2028, has maintained his distance from Platner. He expressed confidence that Platner could defeat Collins, noting that “the path for us winning back control of the Senate runs through Maine.” Nonetheless, he declined to endorse Platner, citing a lack of personal interaction with the nominee. When asked if Platner had adequately addressed his scandals, Kelly remarked that the oysterman “has got things to explain.”
Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) also withheld their endorsements on Wednesday. Cortez Masto mentioned other top Democratic priorities in Iowa, North Carolina, and Alaska, while Duckworth emphasized her focus on the Midwest.
Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.), a vocal critic of his own party, reiterated his concerns about Platner, stating that while Maine Democrats have made their choice, “I would never [endorse Platner]. I’ll be a Democrat to refuse to carry water for that.”
Even Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), who pledged to support all Democratic Senate nominees, noted that the oysterman still has “work to do” in addressing his scandals.
“The challenge that Platner has is the challenge that any candidate has, and it’s to address in a direct way both personal and political issues that are legitimate questions for the voters. He’s got to do that,” Welch said. He had met with Platner the previous week to privately urge him to engage with voters’ questions. “Until the election is over, he’s got work to do, every day in every way.”
Not every senator traditionally endorses in every race. However, the Democrats’ chances of reclaiming the Senate largely depend on defeating Collins, the only Republican senator up for reelection in a state that former Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024. The party has tried to unseat Collins multiple times without success and is now pinning its hopes on Platner, whose campaign has energized Maine and attracted significant grassroots support despite a series of controversies.
Ongoing divisions among Democrats could benefit Republicans, who are already launching general-election attacks on Platner. Collins has consistently secured reelection with a coalition that includes a notable portion of independents and Democratic voters, particularly moderate women.
Platner’s ascent occurred without support from the Democratic establishment. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) had recruited Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign in April due to poor polling and fundraising.
The political newcomer attracted Maine voters by challenging the establishment and arguing that the Democratic Party needs to reconnect with its working-class roots.
Strategic endorsements played a key role in Platner’s primary success. Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) early endorsement brought him attention. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) boosted his campaign amid scrutiny over a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, and Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) assisted with fundraising in light of recent allegations.
The New York Times recently reported on accusations from several of Platner’s ex-girlfriends, who alleged toxic behavior patterns, including one claim of physical aggression. Previously, his campaign acknowledged he had sent sexual messages to other women while married. Last fall, his uncovered Reddit history revealed numerous offensive comments. Platner also admitted to having a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol but claimed ignorance of its meaning.
Platner has denied allegations of violence and attributes his past misconduct to a challenging period in his life, dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder after his military service.
“I’ve made mistakes in my life, mistakes that I regret, that I lived with, that I continue to learn from,” he said during his victory speech on Tuesday night. “I’m still far from perfect, but every day I wake up and I try to be a little bit better and a little bit kinder than I was the day before.”
After Platner’s primary victory, his supporters in the Senate urged their colleagues to unite behind him.
“They need to coalesce, they need to coalesce around Platner,” Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told reporters on Wednesday, asserting that Platner has “taken responsibility” for his past actions.
Senator Sanders expressed confidence that Democrats would eventually support Platner.
“Platner won a landslide victory last night, and I am quite confident that Democrats who want to regain the Senate will be supporting him as the Democratic nominee,” he said.
At least one previously undecided lawmaker expressed readiness to back Platner.
“Here’s a man who said ‘I made mistakes, I apologize for them, I am going to earn the trust of my constituents,’” said Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). “That says a lot in contrast to the president, who never admits doing anything that is untoward, and who just blames everybody else, and who prosecutes people. I think Maine voters have expressed themselves and they’re willing to give him a chance.”
Some Democrats who doubted Platner’s prospects in the general election and considered urging him to step down seem to have accepted his continued candidacy.
“It was obviously a strong result for him which I think should quiet some of the immediate anxiety, but that will return if more revelations come out,” said a senior Democratic Senate aide, speaking anonymously. “Seems like even his supporters are not really defending the conduct, so [it’s] kind of incumbent on him to try to address more fully and move on.”
Another Senate Democratic aide, also speaking on condition of anonymity, concurred: “He weathered the storm, but is he out of it? Primary night didn’t answer that question. The next several weeks will determine whether this campaign is a referendum on his personal conduct or Susan Collins aligning with an unpopular GOP agenda that is hurting Mainers.”
Republicans have signaled intentions to spotlight Platner’s controversies in the campaign, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee and a pro-Collins super PAC releasing ads emphasizing some of Platner’s past Reddit remarks. Platner, meanwhile, in his initial general election ad on Wednesday, targeted the “Epstein class” but did not mention Collins.
Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) stated that her perspective on the race remains unchanged, and she intends to “work with whoever the Mainers elect, period.”
“The way that this president has completely railroaded my Republican colleagues in this body, they don’t deserve to run a separate branch of government,” she said. “And if we want any chance of putting a check and balance on him that involves electing Platner.”
When asked if Platner needs to further address his past controversies, Slotkin simply said: “I just hope I’m not caught again live on TV answering the same questions about bad behavior.”
Jordain Carney contributed to this report.
