Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner abruptly ended his fundraising journey to DC Tuesday after The Put up confirmed up in his hometown to start out asking questions on his previous — prompting his mother-in-law to declare allegations of him sexting different ladies whereas married “all bulls—.”
A Put up reporter visited Platner’s stomping grounds in southern Maine — together with his in-laws‘ residence and a restaurant and inn run by the candidate’s mom — because the Senate hopeful was assembly with Democrats at their fundamental marketing campaign committee’s headquarters on Capitol Hill.
“It’s bulls—,” mentioned Elaine Crabtree — mom of Platner’s spouse, Amy Gertner — at her Hope, Maine, residence concerning the sexting allegations. “It’s not true. That’s all I’ve to say.”
“I feel Amy is an excellent, wonderful particular person,” she added. “I feel Graham is an excellent, wonderful particular person. They’re attempting so arduous to result in optimistic change. It’s too unhealthy, the political system proper now. It’s spending a lot cash on adverse adverts, it’s a disgrace. It needs to be used for different [things].”
Different family members or household associates had been hostile — with two males demanding a number of instances that The Put up go away the premises.
Inside Ironbound Restaurant and Inn in Hancock, Maine, the place a “Graham Platner for US Senate” sticker hung within the bar, the candidate’s mother, Leslie Harlow, greeted regulars, a number of of whom additionally defended her son.
Katie Doble, 49, a daily who says she’s been friends with Platner for about 5 years, dismissed the sexting scandal.
“He’s an excellent particular person,” she mentioned. “He’s very sincere and reliable. He will be enjoyable and dealing on his oyster farm. As a substitute he’s sacrificing to do that.”
“I feel it’s too unhealthy however the bar is kind of low within the Senate,” mentioned David, 34, one other Platner supporter from Belfast, Maine.
“For me, something violent in all probability would undoubtedly make me sit out the election. … I do suppose we have now a low bar proper now,” he added whereas downing a bowl of clam chowder.
Harlow, a former Democratic Nationwide Committee delegate, declined to talk with The Put up whereas she interacted with employees and prospects.
Platner opted out of a deliberate occasion with progressive group VoteVets after he reportedly acquired phrase that his family members had been fielding questions on his previous — together with alleged sexual texts to at the very least six ladies that his spouse revealed to a marketing campaign aide in August 2025.
The candidate was additionally revealed to have an energetic account on the hookup messaging app Kik, separate from his exchanges with ladies exterior his marriage.
A rep for VoteVets confirmed that Platner “wanted to cancel after beforehand RSVPing” to the occasion earlier than referring additional inquiries to the Democrat’s marketing campaign.
Plans for Platner to initially meet with Senate Democrats at a Capitol Hill restaurant Tuesday afternoon shortly leaked, so the assembly was moved to the extra managed atmosphere of the Democratic Senatorial Marketing campaign Committee (DSCC) headquarters.
Among the many lawmakers who huddled with Platner had been Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), in addition to DSCC Char Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
“All I can inform you is that the wealthiest folks on this nation have reserved near $100 million in TV adverts in a small state like Maine,” an agitated Sanders grumbled to reporters on the best way in.
“So what are the billionaires fearful about? Why are they spending a lot cash to defeat this man? The reply is that he’s going to face as much as the oligarchs.”
Sarcastically, a part of Platner’s enterprise in DC was to hobnob with the Democratic elite throughout fundraisers, together with one held by former Biden White Home chief of workers Ron Klain.
“I’m very optimistic we’re going to win Maine,” Gillibrand informed reporters after the assembly.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY) additionally met with Platner and reaffirmed his endorsement of him, earlier than repeatedly stating to reporters who requested concerning the sexting scandal: “I met with Graham Platner at present. We’re going to beat Susan Collins and take again the Senate.”
Platner has left open the query of whether or not he’ll again Schumer to stay the Senate Democratic chief ought to Maine voters ship him to Washington Nov. 3. The Marine veteran is favored to win the June 9 main after Gov. Janet Mills suspended her marketing campaign this previous April — although she was fast to remind potential voters turned off by the sexting controversy that she stays on the first poll.
The Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) vowed to make sure that Platner was “going to have a really lengthy day,” and its staffers greeted each him and the Democratic senators with a protest that includes males clad solely in towels a la the profile image on his Kik account.
