UMVA has learned that Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner dodged questions from reporters on Tuesday as he arrived for a meeting at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee amid an alleged sexting scandal and criticism over resurfaced online posts.
Platner's encounter with reporters was brief and tense, with one journalist asking, "Mr. Platner, are you here to calm the waters, sir?" Platner, however, remained silent, choosing not to respond to the question or others about his past controversies.
The Democratic candidate, currently leading in the polls, was attending a planned meeting with Democratic senators in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, as concerns from both sides of the political spectrum have emerged over sexual misconduct and infidelity allegations.
Sources close to the matter have confirmed that Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, discovered text exchanges between Platner and multiple women just months after they were married in 2024. These revelations have sparked intense scrutiny of Platner's personal life and his bid for the U.S. Senate.
In a statement sent to reporters, Platner acknowledged that he and his wife had faced challenges, saying, "Amy and I went through something hard — because of me." He expressed gratitude for his wife's support and emphasized that voters care more about his policy positions than his personal life.
Gertner has also come to her husband's defense, posting a video statement that criticized media outlets for focusing on gossip rather than Platner's policy proposals. She described the attacks as "shameful" and emphasized her husband's commitment to issues like healthcare and education.
Further investigation has revealed that Platner has an active account on Kik, an anonymous messaging app associated with anonymous encounters. A review of his profile, created in 2016, found a sexually suggestive photo of Platner posing shirtless with only a towel wrapped around his waist.
The Platner campaign has claimed that he deleted the app from his phone before the issue became public, but this has done little to quell concerns about his judgment and character.
Deleted online posts and a Nazi-linked tattoo have added to the controversies surrounding Platner and his bid for U.S. Senate. As a Marine Corps veteran who served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Platner's past actions have sparked intense debate about his qualifications and fitness for office.
Platner will appear on the ballot alongside David Costello in the Democratic Senate primary in Maine, with voters set to decide on June 9 who will face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
