Michael LaRosa, former press secretary to First Lady Jill Biden, has criticized the level of Democratic support for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner amid an escalating scandal over resurfaced controversial posts and imagery. In an interview with Fox News Digital, LaRosa said he was 'shocked' at how many Democrats were rallying around Platner despite serious concerns about his past online activity.
Platner became the Democrats' presumptive nominee after Gov. Janet Mills ended her Senate campaign last month, clearing the path for him to face five-term incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. The controversy centers on sexually explicit and vulgar posts that have resurfaced, including content mocking a Purple Heart veteran who was shot multiple times by the Taliban, as well as images showing a Nazi symbol tattoo on his chest.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic leaders have largely remained publicly quiet about Platner's controversies, with party strategists arguing that defeating Collins in a swing state takes priority over vetting every aspect of a candidate's past. Some Democratic officials who spoke on background said they viewed LaRosa's comments as coming from someone outside current party circles and noted that Platner leads in recent polling against Collins despite the backlash.
Supporters within the party argue that Maine voters will ultimately judge Platner on his policy positions rather than years-old social media posts. A spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said the focus remains on Collins's record of siding with Republicans on issues like abortion access and healthcare.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have seized on the controversy to attack Democratic Party leadership, arguing that the episode reveals moral compromises within the party. National Republican Senatorial Committee communications director Amelia Johnson said in a statement: 'Democrats are trying to foist an extremist with Nazi imagery on Maine voters while pretending their values haven't changed.'
Collins's campaign has not directly commented on Platner's personal controversies but has emphasized her legislative record and constituent service across five terms. Conservative media commentators have highlighted LaRosa's comments as evidence of internal Democratic divisions over candidate quality versus partisan loyalty.
What the Numbers Show
Platner leads Collins by approximately 4 percentage points in recent public polling, according to aggregates compiled by RealClearPolitics. However, historical precedent suggests caution: In 2020, Democrat Sara Gideon led Collins in every major poll before Collins won re-election by roughly 9 points in a race that cost both parties combined spending exceeding $120 million. Platner has raised significantly less than Gideon had at this point in the cycle.
Collins has won her previous five Senate elections, typically outperforming generic Republican ballot performance in the state. Maine uses ranked-choice voting for federal races, which complicates general election projections when third-party candidates are involved.
The Bottom Line
LaRosa's criticism represents a notable break from party unity and underscores internal tensions over whether electability should override concerns about candidate character. With months until Election Day, both parties will watch Maine polling closely as an early indicator of Senate majority control. Whether Platner's controversies fade or intensify could determine whether Democrats have nominated their best chance to unseat Collins or handed Republicans a potent line of attack in a race that could decide Senate control.