UMVA has learned that the rise of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is causing a stir within the Democratic Party, with several strategists warning of the long-term implications of embracing him.
Platner's scandal-plagued history has sparked concerns that the party is prioritizing power over principles, with some strategists arguing that this could ultimately hurt them in 2028. "Anyone paying attention to the intersection of culture and politics knows that my party pushed #MeToo well beyond the bounds of common sense long before Graham Platner's rise," said Michael LaRosa, a former press secretary to first lady Jill Biden.
LaRosa believes that the party's decision to rally behind Platner undermines its moral legitimacy, making it difficult for Democrats to champion women's rights. "If the standards disappear the moment they're politically inconvenient, they were never standards at all," he said.
Doug Schoen, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, argued that Democrats are choosing power over concerns about Platner's past, which could have far-reaching consequences. "In the short term, for some Democrats, those on the progressive left, it's the right decision, a practical decision," Schoen said. "To me, it's a very sad one and certainly undermines the moral legitimacy of the Democratic Party as a whole."
Platner has denied allegations from former girlfriends who accused him of discussing rape fantasies, drinking heavily, and having violent episodes. He also faces criticism over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to women shortly after getting married, a Nazi-linked tattoo, and online comments mocking a Purple Heart veteran.
Despite the controversies, Platner won the Maine Democratic Senate primary with a record number of votes. Democratic strategist Mally Smith believes that Platner's rise may not be the "death" of the #MeToo movement, but it could create problems for Democrats in the future. "Democrats who have more fully embraced his campaign are going to have some trouble when it comes to making the case on the Epstein files or any general claims of believe all women," Smith said.
LaRosa warned that Democrats could be haunted by their ties to Platner for years, regardless of whether he wins or loses. "If he wins, you'll still have to explain why you stood with him," LaRosa said. "If he loses, you'll have nothing to show for it except the association. Either way, he's someone you'll be answering for."
Schoen argued that Democrats have weakened their case against Republican scandals by rallying behind Platner. "For every criticism that they level at Ken Paxton in Texas, they will be greeted by criticism of Graham Platner in Maine, which to me makes their job more difficult," Schoen said.
Ultimately, Smith believes that Maine voters will focus on the economy, and concerns about Platner will likely only be a major issue within the state. "Voters are unhappy with the economy, and I think most people are going to be voting on whether they believe the economy is better than when Trump was inaugurated," Smith said.
