Graham Platner Emerges as Democratic Frontrunner for Maine Senate Seat Despite Past Controversies

Amy Gertner, who married Platner in 2023, told Platner’s Senate campaign in 2025 about sexually explicit texts he sent to several women. Her purpose was to ensure the texts did not impact the campaign, according to the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

Genevieve McDonald, who served as Platner’s campaign political director until October 2025, told the New York Times that Gertner reached out to her before a rally with Sen.

Bernie Sanders. McDonald said Platner exchanged texts with as many as a dozen women. McDonald stated that the Senate is not a training ground for redemption but a place for proven leaders with moral clarity and integrity.

Platner’s campaign released a video from Gertner on May 30, 2026. In the video Gertner said she was really angry and disappointed that her disclosure was made public. She also said she finds it really shameful that there is a group of media outlets and people willing to spread gossip instead of talking about real issues that Graham is running on.

Platner referred to himself as a communist in past social media posts, called white rural people racist and stupid, and encouraged people not to use substances to avoid being raped. He apologized for the posts and said he was deeply sorry, citing disillusionment after returning from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. A video surfaced of Platner shirtless with a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol.

Platner told Pod Save America he was not a Nazi and was a lifelong opponent of Nazism. He stated he got the tattoo while very inebriated while he was a Marine in 2007 and was unaware of its Nazi links. Platner covered up the tattoo in October 2025 after promising to have it removed.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss stated last week that he believed the tattoo should still be personally disqualifying. Platner emerged as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for Senate in Maine after Gov.

Janet Mills dropped out in April 2026. He will challenge Maine’s long-time Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.