Maine's Democratic primary is descending into turmoil as military veteran Graham Platner, who was positioned to win the party's Senate nomination after Gov. Janet Mills withdrew in late April, now faces mounting allegations that have fractured the party just days before voting begins.
The New York Times reported Thursday that three women who dated Platner described his behavior as toxic and unsettling. One woman, Lyndsey Fifield, said Platner twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom, and held the door shut while telling her to become calm. Fifield also claimed Platner knew the meaning of a Nazi tattoo he later covered. Platner has denied the allegations, stating in a campaign statement that he struggled with undiagnosed PTSD and used alcohol to self-medicate during what he called a dark period of his life.
"Throughout this campaign, I've been open about what was a very dark period of my life where I struggled with undiagnosed PTSD, too often self medicated with alcohol, and was a far from perfect boyfriend," Platner said. "I take responsibility for all of that, and wish I had been better. Any characterization beyond that is false."
His campaign immediately challenged Fifield's credibility, pointing out that she is a lifelong Republican who has worked for the Heritage Foundation and Nikki Haley's 2024 presidential campaign. The campaign suggested her allegations were politically motivated.
Platner said he has no intention of withdrawing from the race, insisting Thursday night on MSNBC that allegations of physicality and knowing his tattoo's meaning "are simply not true." Yet anxiety rippled through the party as Democrats grappled with whether a candidate dogged by repeated controversies could defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, one of their top targets in the fall.
Some party insiders immediately began exploring whether they could replace Platner if he withdrew. Maine law allows for a candidate replacement after a primary if the nominee steps aside. The timing is critical, with voting set for Tuesday.
Democratic opinion split sharply along generational lines. State Rep. Ro Khanna of California, scheduled to appear at a Platner rally Friday in Bar Harbor, issued a statement acknowledging the behavior described in the Times story was wrong while praising Platner's stance on economic justice. "The people of Maine deserve a senator who is going to stand up to the billionaire class, against genocide, and for the working class," Khanna said.
Democratic state Rep. Valli Geiger, who appeared in Platner campaign ads, said supporters who know him personally remain unmoved. "It's a lot harder to dislodge us because we know the man," she said, characterizing the timing of the allegations as "dirty politics."
But establishment Democrats and moderate voices urged caution. Matt Bennett of the Democratic think tank Third Way, who had backed Mills, warned the controversies could cost the party the seat. "We have long been concerned that it could cost us the seat, and we don't feel any better about it today," he said.
Carol Eisenberg, a Maine lawyer and Mills supporter, expressed concern that the new allegations could "harm Democratic prospects" against Collins and called for Platner to exit the race so Democrats could nominate a stronger candidate.
The cascade of problems surrounding Platner extends beyond the latest accusations. Last fall, three senior campaign staffers resigned after revelations that his prolific Reddit posts contained comments downplaying sexual assault and criticizing police and rural Americans. He has blamed those posts on struggles with post-traumatic stress and depression tied to his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has publicly clashed with Platner, quickly attacked him using his online alias "Phustle," questioning whether Maine voters would tolerate such a candidate.
Gov. Mills remains on the ballot despite withdrawing from active campaigning. Party insiders indicated Mills supporters would welcome her re-engagement, though she has shown no signs of returning. Mills supporters said they lack the time and resources to mount a late campaign push.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had endorsed Mills, sidestepped questions Thursday about the latest scandal, simply restating his endorsement of Platner and his commitment to beating Collins.
Platner's remaining backers argue his movement transcends individual controversies. They point to widespread voter hunger for change and compare him to figures like Trump who survived multiple scandals to win office. But Democratic strategists worry that unlike Trump's general election victory, Platner needs to consolidate moderate and independent voters to win against Collins, a task complicated by escalating allegations in the final week before the primary.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Platner's path to the nomination was supposed to be clear once Mills stepped aside, but the party's dread about his candidacy keeps proving prophetic."
Comments