Controversy Surrounds Platner as Mills Remains on Ballot

Governor Janet Mills of Maine, who halted her Senate race efforts a month earlier, hinted she still presents a choice for Democratic voters. This comes as Graham Platner, anticipated to be the Democratic nominee, encounters scandal. Reports surfaced that Platner sent sexually explicit texts to women outside his marriage.

In an interview with The Portland Press Herald, Mills stated, “People have the impression that I ‘withdrew’ or ‘dropped out.’ I simply suspended active campaigning. I am still on the ballot.”

Mills spoke with Steve Collins, a columnist for Maine’s largest newspaper. The comments arrive amid ongoing controversy for Platner, an oyster farmer and newcomer to politics, whose campaign energized progressive voters. This momentum had prompted Mills, a two-term governor supported by Senator Chuck Schumer, to step back in April.

The current uproar centers on Platner admitting to sending explicit texts to up to six women since marrying in 2023. He also faced backlash over a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, now covered up, and past inflammatory Reddit posts.

The scandal has disrupted Democratic politics recently. Although Mills ceased campaigning activities, she and David Costello, a former official in Maine and Maryland, remain options on the ballot for upcoming Democratic primary elections.

The situation distracts from Democratic attempts to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins. Collins, a five-term incumbent, has consistently won in Maine even when Democratic presidential candidates secured victories there.

Maine stands as the sole state Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024 with a competitive Senate race for a Republican-held seat. Winning the seat is critical if Democrats are to flip the Senate. They must retain all Democratic-held seats and gain at least four Republican-held to claim control.

Platner has responded defiantly to the reports in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times regarding his texting history. He accused the reports of being “journalistic malpractice” and urged focus on political issues instead.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an early Platner supporter, emphasized addressing working families’ issues over Platner’s marriage. Sanders mentioned that Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, continues to support her husband, wishing their marriage well.

Annie Karni and Katie Glueck contributed reporting.