Graham Platner Wins Democratic Senate Nod in Maine Amid Scandal Over Explicit Texts to Women

U.S. Senate in Maine. Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed him and said he will not reconsider that support. Sanders appeared with Platner at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine campus in Orono on May 24, 2026, and at an event in Portland on May 25, 2026.

The appearances were part of the Fighting Oligarchy tour. Sanders told an MS Now reporter on Monday that 60 percent of people are living paycheck to paycheck. He said people cannot afford healthcare, groceries or gas.

He added that oligarchs plan to spend some $90 million in Maine to defeat Platner. ” according to The Associated Press. He also said the focus should remain on issues facing working people rather than on Platner’s marriage.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Platner sent explicit text messages to multiple women while married to Amy Gertner, whom he wed in 2024. Gertner discovered the messages months after the wedding. She told a campaign aide about the texts in 2025 after Platner launched his Senate bid.

Platner’s campaign confirmed the text exchanges to Politico. Gertner posted a video on X on Saturday defending the campaign.

She said it is shameful that media outlets spread gossip instead of discussing issues such as healthcare, education and childcare. She added that being newly married, undergoing infertility treatment and running a Senate campaign at the same time is difficult. Sanders said his understanding is that Gertner indicated the couple love each other.

He stated the campaign should focus on issues such as healthcare, education, childcare, cost of living and opposition to oligarchs rather than on Platner’s marriage.