Maine Democrats Face Internal Strife Over Platner Misconduct Claims

WHO:

Fox News - Bill Maher stated, "Democrats — they have another sex, creep problem," referring to Graham Platner's controversies.

ABC News - Rep. Ro Khanna stated, "I believe in redemption," while acknowledging that Platner's past actions were "toxic and wrong."

ABC News - Nancy Jacobson, a Bangor resident, expressed that she expects more allegations about Platner to emerge.

ABC News - Sarina Brooks, a mental health therapist, stated, "At this point, I'm holding my support for him in place."

Fox News - Bill Maher stated, "Democrats — they have another sex, creep problem," referring to Graham Platner's controversies.

ABC News - Rep. Ro Khanna said, "I believe in redemption," while acknowledging that Platner's past actions were "toxic and wrong."

Fox News - Bill Maher referred to Graham Platner as "their big hope to take the Senate" for Democrats.

ABC News - Rep. Ro Khanna stated, "I believe in redemption," while acknowledging that Platner's past actions were "toxic and wrong."

Fox News - Lyndsey Fifield, a former romantic partner, alleged that Platner grabbed her hard enough to leave marks and twisted her arm during their relationship.

Fox News - Jenny Racicot, another former girlfriend, described Platner's behavior as "reckless" and "unsettling."

ABC News - Amy Gertner, Platner's wife, stated, "No marriage is perfect and I don't want a perfect marriage. I want my marriage and I want to be married to Graham."

ABC News - Nancy Jacobson, a Bangor resident, expressed that she expects more allegations about Platner to emerge.

Fox News - Bill Maher referred to Graham Platner as "their big hope to take the Senate" for Democrats.

ABC News - Genevieve McDonald, a former campaign staffer, stated that Platner was "sexting multiple women while married."

Fox News - Graham Platner, Maine Democratic Senate candidate

ABC News - Nancy Jacobson, Bangor resident; Amy Gertner, Platner's wife; Maine state Reps. Allison Hepler and Holly Eaton; Sarina Brooks, mental health therapist; Christopher Mejo, Maine resident; Tyler Stoddard, Portland resident; Rep. Ro Khanna; Sen. Mark Warner

Fox News - Bill Maher, HBO host

ABC News - Lyndsey Fifield, former romantic partner; Jenny Racicot, former girlfriend

WHAT:

ABC News - The New York Times published two separate reports detailing allegations against Platner, including claims of sending sexually explicit messages and toxic behavior.

ABC News - Eaton withdrew her endorsement of Platner after allegations about his past comments and tattoo surfaced, stating, "That was not someone that I could support."

ABC News - The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9.

ABC News - Graham Platner is set to take questions from voters at a town hall-style event in Maine.

ABC News - The New York Times published two separate reports detailing allegations against Platner, including claims of sending sexually explicit messages and toxic behavior.

ABC News - Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, alerted his campaign in 2025 about sexually explicit text messages her husband allegedly exchanged with multiple women.

ABC News - Eaton withdrew her endorsement of Platner after allegations about his past comments and tattoo surfaced, stating, "That was not someone that I could support."

ABC News - The primary election is on June 9.

ABC News - The New York Times published two separate reports detailing allegations against Platner, including claims of sending sexually explicit messages and toxic behavior.

ABC News - Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, alerted his campaign in 2025 about sexually explicit text messages her husband allegedly exchanged with multiple women.

ABC News - Graham Platner is set to take questions from voters at a town hall-style event in Maine.

Boston.com News - Platner's upcoming event in Portland is taking place two days before the Democratic primary.

ABC News - Maine state Reps. Allison Hepler and Holly Eaton indicated they will vote for Gov. Janet Mills in the Democratic primary, despite Mills having suspended her campaign in April.

ABC News - Eaton withdrew her endorsement of Platner after allegations about his past comments and tattoo surfaced, stating, "That was not someone that I could support."

ABC News - The New York Times published two reports detailing allegations against Platner, including claims of sending sexually explicit messages and toxic behavior.

Fox News - Maher claimed that Democrats are facing "another sex, creep problem" with Platner.

ABC News - Allegations include that Platner harbored fantasies about raping home intruders.

Fox News - Platner's campaign is facing scrutiny due to allegations of misconduct, including sending sexually explicit messages to multiple women and having a Nazi symbol tattoo.

ABC News - Allegations include that Platner's behavior was described as "intimidating and disturbing" by former girlfriends.

Fox News - Platner has denied being violent towards women and stated he has been open about a "very dark period" in his life.

ABC News - The Democratic primary is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9.

ABC News - Sen. Warner described the allegations against Platner as "disturbing."

WHERE:

Fox News - Maine

ABC News - Bar Harbor, Maine; Bangor, Maine

WHEN:

Fox News - Platner covered up his Nazi symbol tattoo in October 2025.

ABC News - The primary election is on June 9.

WHY:

ABC News - Some Maine Democrats are nervous that new allegations could harm Platner's chances of beating Collins in November.

ABC News - Eaton withdrew her endorsement of Platner after allegations about his past comments and tattoo surfaced, stating, "That was not someone that I could support."

ABC News - Some Maine Democrats are nervous that new allegations could harm Platner's chances of beating Collins in November.

CBS News Politics - Rep. Ro Khanna stated that Platner's past actions were "misogynistic, they were shameful, they were wrong," but noted that they "didn't come as a surprise" to Maine voters.

CBS News Politics - Rep. Ro Khanna stated that Platner's past actions were "misogynistic, they were shameful, they were wrong."

Fox News - Democrats are concerned that Platner's personal controversies could harm his chances against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

ABC News - Some voters express a desire to support Platner despite the allegations, believing in his political mission.

HOW:

ABC News - At a rally in Bar Harbor, Platner stated, "When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out... Maine had my back," which received loud applause from attendees.

ABC News - Rep. Ro Khanna campaigned with Platner and stated, "I believe in redemption," while acknowledging that Platner's past actions were "toxic and wrong."

ABC News - Platner addressed the controversies at a rally, stating, "When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out... Maine had my back."

Fox News - Platner addressed the controversies at a rally, stating he has the support of Maine voters.

ABC News - Voters are divided, with some expressing support for Platner while others have withdrawn their endorsements due to the allegations.

(UPDATED June 8, 2026 17:49 UTC)

Bill Maher has raised concerns about Graham Platner, stating that Democrats are facing another "creep problem," while Rep. Ro Khanna acknowledged that Platner's past actions were "toxic and wrong." The New York Times has published reports detailing allegations against Platner, including claims of sending sexually explicit messages, and as a result, Eaton has withdrawn her endorsement, saying he is not someone she could support. With the primary election approaching on Tuesday, June 9, Platner is set to answer questions from voters at a town hall event in Maine, where he expressed gratitude for the support he received despite past controversies.

(UPDATED June 8, 2026 14:16 UTC)

Bill Maher recently criticized Democrats for what he called a "sex creep problem," referencing the controversies surrounding Graham Platner, while Rep. Ro Khanna expressed a belief in redemption despite acknowledging Platner's past actions as "toxic and wrong." The New York Times has published two reports detailing allegations against Platner, including claims of sending sexually explicit messages and toxic behavior, with his wife alerting his campaign in 2025 about these messages. As the primary election approaches on June 9, Platner defended himself at a rally in Bar Harbor, stating, "When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out... Maine had my back," which was met with applause from the crowd.

(UPDATED June 8, 2026 10:17 UTC)

Bill Maher recently referred to Graham Platner as "their big hope to take the Senate" for Democrats, while Rep. Ro Khanna expressed his belief in redemption but acknowledged that Platner's past actions were "toxic and wrong." The New York Times has published reports detailing allegations against Platner, including claims of sending sexually explicit messages, which his wife, Amy Gertner, had alerted his campaign about back in 2025. Amidst these controversies, some Maine Democrats are concerned that the new allegations could jeopardize Platner's chances against Collins in the upcoming November election.

(UPDATED June 8, 2026 01:38 UTC)

Graham Platner is facing serious allegations from former romantic partners, with one claiming he left marks and twisted her arm, while another described his behavior as "reckless" and "unsettling." Despite these claims, Platner is scheduled to take questions from voters at a town hall event in Portland, Maine, just two days before the Democratic primary. Representative Ro Khanna has commented on Platner's past actions, labeling them as "misogynistic, shameful, and wrong," but noted that they were not unexpected by the voters in Maine.

(UPDATED June 7, 2026 23:15 UTC)

In a recent statement, Amy Gertner, the wife of Graham Platner, emphasized her commitment to their marriage, 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." Meanwhile, allegations against Platner continue to surface, with Bangor resident Nancy Jacobson anticipating more revelations, and Rep. Holly Eaton withdrawing her endorsement of him after reports detailed his past comments and behavior. At a rally in Bar Harbor, Platner expressed gratitude for the support he received during challenging times, while Rep. Ro Khanna acknowledged the need for redemption, despite recognizing the toxicity of Platner's previous actions.

(UPDATED June 7, 2026 21:15 UTC)

In a recent broadcast, Bill Maher highlighted Graham Platner as "their big hope to take the Senate" for Democrats, while former campaign staffer Genevieve McDonald accused him of "sexting multiple women while married." Maher also pointed out that Democrats are grappling with "another sex, creep problem" involving Platner, who faces serious allegations including harboring fantasies about raping home intruders. In response to the controversies, Platner addressed supporters at a rally, asserting, "When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out... Maine had my back."

(UPDATED June 7, 2026 19:18 UTC)

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing serious scrutiny over allegations of misconduct, including sending sexually explicit messages to multiple women and having a Nazi symbol tattoo, which he covered up in October 2025. Former girlfriends have described Platner's behavior as "intimidating and disturbing," while he has denied being violent and acknowledged a "very dark period" in his life. With the Democratic primary set for June 9, voters appear divided, as some express support for Platner's political mission despite the controversies, while others have withdrawn their endorsements.