UMVA has learned that Maine voters are on the cusp of making a pivotal decision: choosing their Democratic representative for the U.S. Senate, with Graham Platner at the center of a maelstrom of controversy.
Residents who have spoken out are sharply divided on whether Platner's swirling scandals disqualify him from seeking the office. For Bill, a Peaks Island resident and military veteran, Platner's actions are a personal affront, particularly given his struggles with PTSD as a combat veteran.
"He's a disgrace to every veteran that has PTSD like I do, because he's using it as an excuse to cover up his own personal failings," Bill said, expressing outrage over Platner's use of his military service to deflect criticism. "You do not abuse women because you were in combat. You do not say things about trans people. You do not wear Nazi symbols because you were in combat. That is because of who you are."
Platner faces criticism from both the left and the right over allegations of abuse from former girlfriends, sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to women during the early days of his marriage, a Nazi-linked tattoo, and online comments mocking a Purple Heart veteran. For Mike, a Maine voter, Platner's tattoo is a decisive factor.
"Nothing good about him," Mike said. "Anybody with a Nazi tattoo, and it's not a Bugs Bunny tattoo, okay? It's like, 'Oh my God, I got a tattoo, I didn't know what it was.' If he was honest about it, and said, 'Hey, it was a mistake. I got a Nazi tattoo, and it's stupid. I was drunk and I was in the service,' then maybe that's one thing. But at that point, it's a no-brainer for me."
When asked if Democrats should drop Platner, Mike was unequivocal: "Of course they should," adding that Democrats are standing by Platner because they see him as their best chance to unseat Sen. Susan Collins. "I mean, it's like they're locked in now. This has nothing to do with being a Democrat or Republican. They want to get rid of Susan Collins, take over the Senate, and that's the bottom line."
Karen, a Rockland resident, questions whether Platner's scandals should be overlooked, saying they reflect on his character. "I think it's crazy," Karen said. "I think there's a lot of things about him that people should understand. They say, 'Oh, it's personal,' but then that also indicates his character."
However, not all Mainers share this view. Holly, a Belfast resident, takes a more sympathetic stance. "Nobody's perfect. Everyone makes mistakes," Holly said. "He's apologized for the mistakes he's made, and he's taken action about it. If you listen to what he's about in terms of policy, he is very much saying the right things for Maine and the right thing for the country more broadly, and I think he's a very good candidate."
Claire, a Brooklin resident, urges voters to focus on Platner's candidacy rather than his past, saying, "He's the best candidate by far, and probing into the minutiae of his personal relationships when you don't do that for any other candidate is ridiculous."
Paul, a Bar Harbor resident, argues that working-class candidates should not be expected to have spotless records. "If we want folks who are representing us from the working class, they're not necessarily going to have a groomed and perfect political record coming into politics," Paul said.
Kathy, a Rockland resident, is willing to look past Platner's "baggage," saying "He's got new ideas, and he's saying things for the people and about the people."
Platner heads into a Tuesday night primary election where Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and former senior government official David Costello are on the ballot. If victorious, Platner will square off against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
