PORTLAND, Maine —Maine’s newly minted Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner gloated Wednesday over how he was in a position to survive a Nazi tattoo, texting, and “porta s—ter” scandals — after the “supposed political geniuses” claimed he was completed.
And even the Senate GOP marketing campaign arm is warning that “he’s presently main.”
“Since this factor began, now we have been instructed time and time once more by supposed political geniuses who’re professionals and actually know what they’re doing, that the marketing campaign was over,” Platner gloated on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.”
“We’ve been counted out time and time once more, after which it doesn’t occur.”
Platner simply clinched the Democratic nod for Maine Senate, with 72%, although some 19.5% of Dem voters went to Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who suspended her marketing campaign in April, in line with the newest numbers, which embody 81% of the vote counted.
The victory got here as Maine Democratic major voters resoundingly shrugged off the litany of scandals in opposition to him, together with as extramarital sexting, his alleged “unsettling” conduct in direction of previous girlfriends, a tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi image, his incendiary Reddit historical past, and extra.
The Publish had spoken with dozens of Platner supporters throughout the major cycle, all of whom harassed the significance of defeating incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
“What they overlook is that it’s that they’ve been counting out working folks for therefore lengthy that each one of us down right here in the true world, we need to see a special form of politics now,” Platner stated of the “political geniuses” counting him out.
The Marine veteran, who has repeatedly claimed he has no extra skeletons in his closet earlier than extra scandals emerged, insisted that “there’s nothing on the market that’s truly regarding.”
“Folks will make all the things appear very regarding, as a result of that’s what folks do in politics,” he stated.
Platner had given a message about redemption throughout his victory speech Tuesday, hailing his life’s story as residing proof that individuals can change.
In the meantime, regardless of the myriad scandals in opposition to Platner, the Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) issued an pressing memo underscoring how formidable he’s in a common election.
The official Senate GOP marketing campaign arm famous that Platner raised $200,000 the day after the bombshell New York Occasions story broke detailing his alleged “unsettling” conduct in direction of girls and he has constantly outraised Collins.
“The political fundamentals in Maine stay difficult, and it’s a deadly mistake to imagine Platner is just too broken to win. He’s presently main. Vice President Harris gained the state by 7 factors, and the Nationwide Democrats view this as their solely path to regaining management,” the NRSC argued within the memo.
“Senator Collins has gained powerful races earlier than and might win this one, however provided that we meet this second with whole urgency,” it added. “This race will be gained, nevertheless it won’t win itself.”
Successful Maine is paramount to Democrats’ mission of retaking the Senate in 2026. The NRSC described it because the “lynchpin” race of the cycle.
Platner presently has a 7.4 share level benefit over Collins, in line with the newest RealClearPolitics combination of polls.
