SouthernWorldwide.com – As the primary election in Maine draws near, several Democratic senators have been reluctant to publicly state whether they continue to back Senate candidate Graham Platner, following the emergence of leaked explicit sexual messages linked to the candidate.
The latest controversy surrounding Platner involves sexually explicit text exchanges with multiple women that became public. These messages reportedly occurred while Platner was married to his wife, Amy Gertner.
Further complicating matters, Platner maintains an active profile on Kik, a private messaging application. This app has been associated with casual sex and anonymous encounters. Concerns have been raised about Kik’s identification methods, which some believe may facilitate the sharing of inappropriate material by child predators.
Platner’s profile, under the username Phustle0331, has reportedly been active since 2016. Platner’s campaign has previously acknowledged that the Kik account, created in 2016, belonged to him. They stated that he had deleted the app from his phone but had not deactivated the account, according to The Wall Street Journal.
WATCH: SHAHEEN DODGES REPORTER’S PLATNER QUESTIONS AS AIDE CREATES DONUT DISTRACTION
While many Democrats have been hesitant to voice their support for Platner, Senator Ed Markey, D-Mass., has expressed his backing. Markey’s support stems from Platner’s opposition to former President Donald Trump.
Many Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have continued to support Platner. They argue that unseating the Republican incumbent and securing Maine’s Senate seat remains a paramount political objective, despite the escalating scandal.
WATCH: CHUCK SCHUMER SIDESTEPS PLATNER SCANDALS, CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR CONTROVERSIAL DEM
However, not all Democrats have offered an outright endorsement. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., indicated that the ultimate decision rests with the voters of Maine.
“I think that’s up to the voters of Maine to decide,” Shaheen stated. “I don’t think inappropriate sexual behavior should be approved by anybody who does it, but the voters of Maine will have to decide that.”
Some Democrats chose not to comment on the controversy or confirm their continued support for Platner as the Maine primary election enters its final days.
“I haven’t met him, I haven’t engaged with him, and I’m not going to answer that,” Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., remarked.
THE GROWING LIST OF CONTROVERSIES THREATENING DEMOCRAT GRAHAM PLATNER’S MAINE SENATE BID
“I don’t do campaign stuff in the Capitol,” Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, responded when asked about his support for Platner and his attendance at a meeting between some Democratic senators and Platner.
Platner had extended an invitation to the entire Senate Democratic caucus for a meeting on Tuesday. However, only about half a dozen senators were observed in attendance. Those present reportedly included Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Senator Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Senator Peter Welch, D-Vt.
With the primary election scheduled for Tuesday, Maine voters have only a few days to determine whether the unfolding controversy will alter the trajectory of one of the most closely watched Senate races for the Democratic party.
