Platner Releases Populist Anti-Oligarchy Ad Days After Report of Sexually Explicit Messages

Graham Platner released a new populist advertisement on Monday that focuses on an anti-oligarchy message. The advertisement states that for decades the powerful have taken piece by piece, store by store, hospital by hospital, shore by shore, and that they began to think Mainers did not exist at all.

It adds that the movement came from lobstermen pushed to the brink, towns where the closest hospital is hours away, and workers who pay more in taxes than billionaires.

The release came days after news broke this weekend that Platner had sent sexually explicit messages to multiple women while married. His wife knew about the texts and told his campaign in 2025 about the messages. Platner responded on Monday by sending a letter that targets the financial disclosure receipts of his opponent, Sen.

Susan Collins. The advertisement frames the campaign as an effort by working-class Mainers to take back what belongs to them. Platner became the Democratic Party’s de facto nominee in late April after Gov.

Janet Mills dropped out of the primary race. Mills cited fundraising concerns. Sen. Chuck Schumer had selected Mills as the candidate for the Maine Senate race. Platner and Collins are scheduled to face off in the Nov.

U.S. Senate seat. Sen. Bernie Sanders has continued to support Platner throughout the scandals. The Trump administration launched Operation Take Back America in 2025 to target crime from illegal immigrants in the United States.

Platner’s advertisement uses similar phrasing about taking back what belongs to Mainers, though it focuses on economic elites rather than immigration. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) announced a get-out-the-vote rally with Platner in Maine scheduled for Friday.