Amy Gertner, the wife of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, said she is "really angry" and "disappointed" that her disclosure about her husband's extramarital communications was made public in news reports this weekend. In a direct-to-camera video released by Platner's campaign on Saturday night, Gertner addressed the revelations surrounding sexually explicit texts her husband exchanged with other women.

The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported that Gertner had told officials in Platner's campaign about the sexually explicit texts last year, near the start of his Senate bid. According to both outlets, her disclosure came during a conversation with campaign officials about potential opposition research into Platner. The Times cited a senior official in Platner's campaign; the Journal cited people familiar with the matter.

"It makes me really angry, disappointed, and I find it really shameful that there's a group of media outlets and people who are willing to spread gossip instead of talking about real issues that Graham is running on," Gertner said in the video.

What the Left Is Saying

Democratic leaders who have endorsed Platner continue to stand by the candidate despite the revelations. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who has endorsed Platner and plans to campaign with him in June, emphasized his support in a post on X.

"I am proud of @grahamformaine for having the character to stand up against the war in Iran, against genocide, and against an unfair & lopsided economy. I am proud of him for having a vision for a new deal for our time," Khanna wrote.

In her video, Gertner emphasized the couple's struggles with infertility and the challenges of their marriage while navigating a Senate campaign. "Graham and I have a great marriage. Being married is hard. Being newly married is hard. Being newly married and going through infertility is hard. Being newly married, going through infertility, and a Senate campaign is hard," she said. She noted that all three—herself, her husband, and their relationship—are receiving counseling support.

Gertner also defended Platner's character in the video, saying, "No marriage is perfect, and I don't want a perfect marriage. I want my marriage, and I want to be married to Graham. ... I knew the man that I married is wonderful and dynamic, and probably a genius."

Progressive supporters point to Platner's policy platform and his background as a veteran and oyster farmer. He has been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in addition to Khanna.

What the Right Is Saying

Republican critics have seized on the reports about Platner's past behavior, arguing they raise questions about his character and fitness for office. The disclosures follow other controversies Platner has faced during his campaign, including resurfaced Reddit posts from his past that contained inflammatory remarks.

In October, Platner apologized for Reddit posts where he had minimized challenges faced by military members who experienced sexual assault, called white rural people "racist and stupid," referred to himself as a "communist," and made comments about substance use to avoid being assaulted. He also addressed a tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi symbol, saying he got the tattoo while serving in the Marines in 2007 without knowing of its association with extremist groups.

National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Jordan Dunn said in a statement: "Maine voters deserve better than a candidate who can't go a month without another scandal surfacing. From racist posts to anti-military comments, Graham Platner keeps revealing who he really is."

GOP-aligned political commentators have argued that the combination of past controversies and the latest revelations about extramarital communications undermines Platner's credibility as a candidate seeking statewide office in Maine.

What the Numbers Show

Platner has emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine after Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the race in April following fundraising difficulties and polling that showed her trailing Platner.

He is challenging longtime incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is running for a sixth term. While Maine has voted Democratic in recent presidential elections—Vice President Kamala Harris won the state by seven percentage points in 2024—Collins has demonstrated crossover appeal in previous elections. She won her 2020 reelection race by nine percentage points, outperforming other Republicans on the ballot.

The Senate seat is considered a key target for Democrats seeking to maintain their majority in the chamber, where they currently hold a narrow margin.

The Bottom Line

Gertner's video marks an effort by the Platner campaign to control the narrative around personal disclosures that have become public through reporting by major news outlets. The candidate faces questions about both his past conduct and how he has handled revelations about his behavior during a high-profile Senate campaign.

Platner's supporters within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party continue to argue that policy positions and legislative vision matter more than personal history, while Republicans are using the disclosures to question his character ahead of what is expected to be a competitive general election race against Collins. Whether the latest revelations shift voter sentiment in Maine remains to be seen as both campaigns prepare for the fall election.