Amy Gertner, the wife of Maine's presumptive Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner, released a video Saturday night denouncing media coverage of her disclosure that he had exchanged sexually explicit texts with other women.
"It makes me really angry, disappointed," Gertner said in a direct-to-camera statement released by Platner's campaign. "And I find it really shameful that there's a group of media outlets and people who are willing to spread gossip instead of talking about real issues that Graham is running on."
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal had reported that Gertner told campaign officials about the explicit texts last year, early in Platner's Senate bid. The disclosure surfaced during a conversation about potential opposition research. Gertner's video was released the same day those reports went public.
In her remarks, Gertner addressed the difficulties facing their marriage directly. "Graham and I have a great marriage. Being married is hard. Being newly married is hard. Being newly married and going through infertility is hard. Being newly married, going through infertility and a Senate campaign is hard," she said, adding that counseling has helped both of them.
The couple married in 2023 and have been candid about their infertility struggles, including a trip to Norway earlier this year for in vitro fertilization treatment. "No marriage is perfect, and I don't want a perfect marriage," Gertner continued. "I want my marriage, and I want to be married to Graham."
Platner's campaign has weathered multiple damaging revelations since he launched his Senate bid last year without apparent loss of momentum. In October, he apologized for resurfaced Reddit posts where he minimized military sexual assault, used derogatory language about rural white people and referred to himself as a "communist." That same month, he covered up a chest tattoo he said resembled a Nazi symbol, claiming he got it while serving in the Marines in 2007 without knowing its association.
The former Marine and oyster farmer is challenging six-term Republican Senator Susan Collins. His campaign has secured endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ro Khanna. After Saturday's reporting, Khanna reaffirmed his support and announced he would campaign with Platner at a June 5 rally. "I am proud of him for having the character to stand up against the war in Iran, against genocide, and against an unfair economy," Khanna posted on X.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who launched a bid for the Democratic nomination last year, dropped out in April after struggling to raise funds and trailing Platner in polls. The state has trended Democratic in presidential elections, with Vice President Kamala Harris winning by 7 points in 2024, though Collins has consistently outperformed other Republicans and won her 2020 re-election by 9 points.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Gertner's defense of her marriage may soften some damage, but the pattern of revelations hitting Platner's campaign just keeps growing."
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