UMVA has learned that Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner dodged questions from reporters on Tuesday, amid a swirling controversy surrounding alleged sexting and resurfaced online posts.
As Platner exited a car to meet with lawmakers, he was asked by a reporter if he was there to calm the waters, but he remained tight-lipped, refusing to respond.
Platner ignored further questions on whether he deserves to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate, whether he will stay in the race, and controversies from his past, choosing instead to attend a planned meeting with Democratic senators in Washington, D.C.
The meeting comes as concerns from both sides of the political spectrum have emerged over sexual misconduct and infidelity allegations against Platner, who is currently leading in the polls.
In a statement, Platner acknowledged that he and his wife, Amy Gertner, had faced challenges, but emphasized that voters care more about his policy stance than gossip or headlines.
Platner's wife, Amy, discovered text exchanges between him and multiple women just months after they were married in 2024, and Platner has faced criticism for his online activity, including an active account on Kik, an anonymous messaging app.
The profile, created in 2016, contains a sexually suggestive photo of Platner posing shirtless with only a towel wrapped around his waist, raising questions about his judgment and character.
A campaign official claimed that Platner downloaded the app when he was single and that it has "long been deleted from his phone," but the controversy has added to the scrutiny surrounding his Senate bid.
Platner, a Marine Corps veteran who served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has faced backlash for deleted online posts, including a 2019 Reddit post that made light of a fellow veteran's injuries.
The controversy has raised questions about Platner's viability as a candidate, and voters will decide on June 9 whether he will face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
Platner's wife, Amy, has defended him against cheating-related attacks, denouncing the spread of gossip and calling for a focus on the real issues.
