Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, faces a pivotal moment Tuesday as party leaders and voters weigh whether he can recover from a series of controversies that have threatened his campaign against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The race is considered one of a handful that could determine control of the Senate majority.
Platner, an oyster farmer and military combat veteran with three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, has denied allegations made public last week by ex-girlfriends describing what they characterized as rape fantasies, heavy drinking, and violent episodes during their relationships. He has called those latest accusations untrue. The controversies follow earlier reports of inflammatory Reddit comments he made years ago and a tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi symbol.
Despite the mounting criticism, Platner secured high-profile backing from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and other progressive leaders. Two-term Democratic Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the Senate race earlier this spring after trailing Platner in fundraising and polling, though her name remains on Tuesday's primary ballot.
What the Left Is Saying
Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a leading progressive voice who organized a rally for Platner, defended the candidate while condemning any misconduct described by ex-girlfriends. "I'm more concerned about making it clear that we're opposed to misogyny, those relationships were toxic and volatile, there's no excuse for that," Khanna told Fox News Digital.
Khanna said Platner explained his past behavior as occurring during a dark period after returning from military service in Iraq. "He says he was at a very dark period, he had come back from two tours of duty in Iraq as an infantry man seeing violence and death. That doesn't excuse it," Khanna noted. The California Democrat added that Platner expressed shame about his past and has demonstrated personal growth since becoming an oyster farmer in Maine.
Sanders and other progressive champions have continued to support Platner's candidacy, arguing that his economic platform focusing on taxing billionaires and prioritizing working-class voters remains compelling to Democratic primary voters. Party strategists are closely watching whether these endorsements translate into votes despite the controversies.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have seized on the allegations against Platner as evidence that Democrats nominated a damaged candidate in their bid to unseat Collins, who has represented Maine in the Senate for nearly three decades. National Republican Senatorial Committee communications have highlighted the controversies in recent advertising.
Collins' campaign has not issued direct statements about Platner's personal conduct but has emphasized her track record of bipartisan legislation and constituent service. GOP observers argue that any enthusiasm gap among moderate Democrats caused by the allegations could benefit Collins in November, regardless of Tuesday's primary outcome.
Conservative commentators have pointed to the Reddit posts and tattoo as examples of poor judgment, while questioning whether Platner's explanations about his military service-related trauma provide adequate justification. Some Republican voices have called on national Democratic leaders to withdraw their endorsements.
What the Numbers Show
Polling conducted before the latest allegations showed Platner significantly outpacing Gov. Mills among Democratic primary voters. A source in Mills' political orbit confirmed she received calls urging her to re-enter the race amid Platner's controversies, though no active campaign effort on her behalf has materialized.
Fundraising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission show Platner raised substantially more than Mills in the period before her withdrawal, giving him financial resources for the general election should he win Tuesday. Collins entered the general election period with significant cash-on-hand advantages from her long incumbency.
The Maine Senate race is rated as competitive by nonpartisan forecasters given Collins' status as a moderate Republican in a state that voted for President Trump in 2024. Control of the Senate majority could hinge on a handful of similar contests nationwide.
The Bottom Line
Tuesday's primary will determine whether Platner becomes the Democratic nominee despite the controversies or if an alternative emerges. Even if he wins, strategists in both parties acknowledge the allegations create challenges for his general election prospects against Collins in November.
What to watch: Whether turnout patterns among progressive voters differ from typical midterm primaries, which could signal how party activists are responding to the news. The outcome will also test whether Sanders' endorsement remains potent when combined with serious personal allegations that have not been independently verified. If Platner prevails, Democrats face a difficult calculation about whether to continue supporting his candidacy or redirect resources to other Senate targets.