SouthernWorldwide.com – As the primary election approaches, Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing increasing scrutiny, with Republican senators openly criticizing his candidacy. In contrast, many Democratic senators have remained silent or declined to comment on his bid.
This reticence from many Senate Democrats comes as Platner faces mounting allegations and controversies just days before Tuesday’s primary election.
When questioned about his support for Platner, Senator Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., responded evasively, “Who told you I was supporting him?” When pressed further, he stated, “I don’t vote in that state.”
Senator Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, simply remarked, “The people of Maine are going to have to make up their minds.”
Other Democrats chose to completely avoid commenting on the situation, claiming they had not given the Maine election significant attention. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., stated, “I’m gonna take a look at the race. I hadn’t paid any attention. We’ve been busy on other fronts so, but I will look at it now.”
Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., when asked for his thoughts on the Maine race, replied, “I don’t know. I have a few other things on my mind.”
These responses follow a series of revelations and allegations concerning Platner that have surfaced and continue to emerge. These include accusations of sexting scandals while married, publicly mocking a wounded American soldier injured in a Taliban attack, and making crude sexual posts on Reddit. More recently, allegations of disturbing behavior in his past relationships have also come to light.
A recent report from The New York Times features explosive excerpts from Platner’s ex-girlfriends. They alleged that he harbors hatred towards women, detailed fantasies involving rape and killing, and admitted awareness that his chest tattoo resembled the Totenkopf, a symbol historically used by Nazi death camp guards, despite his previous denials of knowing its association.
Senator Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., expressed his hope that Maine voters will make a decisive choice at the ballot box on Tuesday, preventing Platner from becoming the Democratic nominee for the Senate.
“I think it’s going to be interesting to see if the voters of Maine are able to see through the lies that Graham Platner is planting,” Hagerty said. “He’s trying to excuse himself for behavior that is totally unconscionable.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., commented, “You got to really feel sorry for the true Democrats in this country. They have no representation. Now they’re taking these people who absolutely have no business representing anybody.”
Despite the continuous stream of scandals and allegations against Platner, he remains the frontrunner in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. This is notable as many prominent Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., continue to back Platner. Democrats view the Republican-held Senate seat in Maine as a significant pickup opportunity in the upcoming midterm elections.
Should Platner win the primary, he would face incumbent Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, in the general election in November.
“I can’t imagine that Mainers want to be represented by somebody like that,” Hagerty stated. “When they have an option to continue working with Susan Collins, who is working her heart out to represent Maine every day.”
“This Platner guy can’t beat Susan Collins, number one,” Tuberville added. “But to even have him in the race is embarrassing — to me — for Maine and for our country.”
