Trending Now - Senate Candidate's Spouse Alerts Campaign to Inappropriate Texts

WHO:

CBS News - Graham Platner is a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine.

CBS News - Amy Gertner is Platner's wife, married since November 2023.

CBS News - The campaign staffer who received Gertner's disclosure is unnamed.

WHAT:

Fox News - Graham Platner's sexting scandal has sparked an internal battle among establishment Democrats who are allegedly trying to derail his Senate primary bid.

NY Post - New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker expressed concerns about Graham Platner, stating, "Guy has questions to answer" regarding the sexting scandal.

CBS News - Gertner disclosed that she informed the campaign about Platner's sexually explicit texts during an internal vetting process at the beginning of his campaign in 2025.

CBS News - Gertner stated, "I trusted this person with the most private chapter of our lives --- the early days of our marriage before any campaign was on our mind --- and I am deeply hurt by her betrayal and the invasion of our privacy."

CBS News - Gertner disclosed that she shared "deeply personal details about my marriage" to an unnamed campaign staffer, expressing feeling "deeply hurt by her betrayal and the invasion of our privacy."

CBS News - The winner of the Maine Senate race is expected to play a key role in which party controls the chamber after the midterms.

CBS News - Gertner's disclosure of the texts was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

CBS News - Gertner stated, "I know the man I married and the husband he has been to me on the best and the worst days of my life. That hasn't changed, and it won't."

CBS News - Platner has run a more populist campaign centered around his working-class background.

CBS News - Platner described his previous controversial opinions as influenced by post-traumatic stress disorder and his military experience, stating, "We have a crude sense of humor in the infantry. We certainly have a, I would say, narrow view of a lot of topics, and that colored my opinions and my beliefs."

CBS News - Gertner disclosed that Platner had an account on the casual sex hookup app Kik and was reportedly caught sexting with numerous women.

NY Post - Photos from Platner's Kik profile were obtained, revealing explicit content he shared with multiple women.

CBS News - Gertner disclosed to the campaign in 2025 that Platner had sent sexually explicit texts to other women.

CBS News - Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

CBS News - Platner's main Democratic primary opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, dropped out of the race in April.

CBS News - Platner has faced controversy over problematic internet comments and a tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol, which he later covered up.

CBS News - Gertner stated their marriage is "stronger than ever before" after counseling.

CBS News - Platner has been endorsed by progressive Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

WHERE:

CBS News - The Senate race is taking place in Maine.

WHEN:

CBS News - Gertner's disclosure occurred during an internal vetting process in 2025.

CBS News - The Maine Senate elections are scheduled for November.

WHY:

CBS News - Gertner expressed feeling hurt by the betrayal and invasion of privacy after sharing personal details with a campaign staffer.

HOW:

CBS News - Platner described his military experience as "a hyper-masculine, hyper-violent place."

CBS News - Platner mentioned that over the years, he "met a lot more people, had a lot more experiences, learned a lot more about the world. And my opinions have changed with it."

CBS News - Gertner shared "deeply personal details about my marriage" to an unnamed campaign staffer.

CBS News - Platner described his previous controversial opinions as influenced by post-traumatic stress disorder and his military experience.

(UPDATED May 31, 2026 19:17 UTC)

Graham Platner's sexting scandal has ignited an internal struggle among establishment Democrats who are reportedly attempting to undermine his Senate primary campaign. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker has voiced his concerns about Platner, emphasizing that "the guy has questions to answer" in light of the scandal. This situation continues to unfold as the primary approaches.

(UPDATED May 31, 2026 15:18 UTC)

Gertner revealed that she alerted the campaign about Platner's sexually explicit texts during an internal vetting process at the start of his campaign in 2025. She expressed her feelings of betrayal, stating, "I trusted this person with the most private chapter of our lives --- the early days of our marriage before any campaign was on our mind --- and I am deeply hurt by her betrayal and the invasion of our privacy." Platner, reflecting on his military experience, described it as "a hyper-masculine, hyper-violent place."

(UPDATED May 31, 2026 08:01 UTC)

Gertner revealed that she shared "deeply personal details about my marriage" with a campaign staffer, expressing her feelings of being "deeply hurt by her betrayal and the invasion of our privacy." Meanwhile, the outcome of the Maine Senate race is anticipated to be crucial in determining which party will control the chamber following the midterms. As the political landscape shifts, all eyes will be on the candidates vying for this pivotal seat.

(UPDATED May 31, 2026 04:17 UTC)

In a recent disclosure reported by the Wall Street Journal, Gertner expressed unwavering support for her husband, stating, "I know the man I married and the husband he has been to me on the best and the worst days of my life. That hasn't changed, and it won't." Meanwhile, Platner has been running a populist campaign that highlights his working-class background, while also reflecting on how his military experience and post-traumatic stress disorder have shaped his controversial opinions, saying, "We have a crude sense of humor in the infantry." He added that through the years, he has met many people and gained new experiences, which have led to a significant evolution in his views.

(UPDATED May 30, 2026 23:15 UTC)

CBS News has reported that Platner was found to have an account on the casual sex hookup app Kik, where he was allegedly caught sexting with several women. The New York Post has obtained photos from Platner's Kik profile, which show explicit content he shared with these individuals. This revelation has raised significant concerns regarding his behavior and the implications it may have.

(UPDATED May 30, 2026 21:15 UTC)

Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, is facing controversy after his wife, Amy Gertner, disclosed that he sent sexually explicit texts to other women during an internal vetting process in 2025. Gertner, who has been married to Platner since November 2023, expressed feeling hurt by the betrayal after sharing personal details with a campaign staffer, while Platner has been endorsed by progressive Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The Maine Senate elections are scheduled for November, and Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee following the withdrawal of his main opponent, Governor Janet Mills, in April.