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Graham Platner needs to drop out of the U.S. Senate race. The accumulation of abhorrent behavior, mistreatment of women and demeaning comments raise troubling and significant questions about his character, judgment and honesty. He needs to end his campaign against Sen. Susan Collins.
On Monday, Politico shared the story of a Maine woman who said that Platner, whom she had dated on-and-off, entered her home uninvited while drunk and sexually assaulted her despite her telling him to stop. Platner and his campaign categorically denied the allegations. This follows an extensive New York Times report last month about Platner’s mistreatment of women, actions he chalked up to being a “bad boyfriend,” and revelations that Platner sexted several women despite being married.
In a video posted Monday, Platner said he is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.” That path is to leave the Senate race now to clear a path, however awkward it may be, for a Democrat who has a record of political achievements and who has been fully vetted.
Platner’s misogynistic and abusive behaviors, described by women who know they will be maligned and denigrated by his supporters, should have been enough to end the campaign long ago, before Platner easily won the June primary. His abusive behavior, offensive comments and inconsistent explanations should have been uncovered and shared by the political consultants who created his political persona. They clearly should have done a much better job vetting the candidate who speaks to the alienation and frustration felt by many Mainers and Americans.
Platner’s message and advocacy are important, but they cannot overcome his past behavior and his lack of honesty about it and accountability for it.
We can hear the outcry from his supporters. “But, we have to win the Senate.” “He isn’t on the Epstein list.” “He isn’t killing people.”
If winning means stooping to the depraved level of Donald Trump and his supporters, we are lost as a society.
Taking such a path also negates the important message of believing women. We can’t continually ask women to share the intimate and painful details of their abuse only to selectively believe some women when it is politically convenient.
While Platner drew huge crowds to his rallies and signed on legions of volunteers, as his past thoughts and actions came to light, more and more red flags were raised. He had a Nazi tattoo, which he claimed he didn’t know was a Nazi tattoo (he had it covered in the fall). He blamed women for being raped. He called cops “bastards” and mocked rural residents.
His support only grew.
The late spring revelations that he sent sexually explicit messages to numerous women shortly after being married in 2023 drew some criticism. The New York Times story about his mistreating women was largely dismissed by his supporters because one of the women quoted was a long-time Republican operative who had worked to get Brett Kavanaugh on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mostly, his supporters stuck by him. He took responsibility for his actions, they said. They pointed out that Donald Trump had done far worse things, which is true. They pointed out that Platner supports universal health care, labor rights, and a host of other things on the Democratic wish list. Never mind that he had no concrete plan to build a coalition to make them a reality.
It should never be OK to sell out your morals to win political victories.
Now, with serious allegations of abuse, the murmurs of worries and discontent about Platner’s behavior have become too loud to ignore.
His departure from the race, only days before a mandatory deadline set by state law, will throw the race for U.S. Senate into chaos. That is unfortunate, but the blame for that rests with Platner, and the consultants who either knew of these events and downplayed them (or ridiculously thought they could keep them hidden) or were woefully negligent in vetting a candidate for such an important position.
Platner tapped into the real and vital concerns of many Mainers. He sparked energy to address those concerns to build a better state and country. But, serious questions about his behavior, judgment and trustworthiness mean he cannot be elected.
He must exit the race so that a different Democratic candidate can carry forward those messages and that energy.
