Several Democratic senators repeatedly declined to say whether they still support Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner when pressed by reporters about explicit sexual messages tied to the candidate that surfaced publicly while he was married to his wife, Amy Gertner.
Platner's campaign also faced questions about an active profile on Kik, a private messaging application associated with casual sex and anonymous encounters. The account, identified as Phustle0331, has been active since 2016. Platner's campaign acknowledged the Kik account belonged to him, stating he had deleted the app from his phone but did not deactivate the account.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have pointed to the scandals as evidence of Democratic Party priorities. National Republican Senatorial Committee spokespersons have noted that Democrats are standing by a candidate whose behavior they say stands in contrast to their public statements on ethics and character.
GOP commentators have argued that Senate Democrats' continued support for Platner reveals a transactional approach to elections, prioritizing power over principle. Some conservative media outlets have highlighted the Kik profile as particularly problematic given the application's history with inappropriate content.
What the Left Is Saying
Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts offered a clear endorsement of Platner despite the controversy. 'We have in Maine, a candidate, that is Platner, who wants to stop Trump's authoritarian destruction of our democracy,' Markey told Fox News Digital. 'And we have another candidate, an incumbent, who hasn't stood up to Trump. And so if you care about our Constitution, there's really only one choice.'
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has continued to back Platner, arguing that flipping Maine's now Republican-held Senate seat remains a top political priority for Democrats.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said the decision ultimately belongs to Maine voters. 'I think that's up to the voters of Maine to decide,' Shaheen said. 'I don't think inappropriate sexual behavior should be approved by anybody who does it, but the voters of Maine will have to decide that.'
A meeting on Tuesday brought together several Democratic senators with Platner. Attendees included Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota, and Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont.
What the Numbers Show
The Maine Democratic primary is scheduled for Tuesday, leaving voters days to evaluate the controversy. The race is considered one of Democrats' most competitive Senate contests nationally, with the party seeking to reclaim a seat currently held by Republicans.
Polling in Maine's Senate race has shown competitive numbers between Platner and Republican candidates, making the primary outcome significant for November general election strategy.
The Bottom Line
The divided Democratic response reflects broader tensions within the party over candidate character versus electoral calculations. With the primary days away, Maine voters will determine whether the controversy alters the trajectory of a race that both parties view as critical to Senate control in 2026.