A Democratic challenger seeking to unseat longtime Maine Sen. Susan Collins is facing renewed attention after reports revealed he exchanged sexual text messages with multiple women after marrying his wife.
The controversy surfaced following a report detailing private messages sent by Graham Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer considered the leading Democratic candidate in Maine’s Senate race, per Fox News.
According to reports, Platner’s campaign acknowledged the text exchanges after questions were raised about information that had previously been shared with a campaign aide.
The issue reportedly came to light when Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, disclosed the messages after discovering them months into their marriage.
The revelation occurred before Platner held a campaign rally last year that was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
However, according to the campaign, the aide who learned of the situation viewed it as a private marital matter rather than a political concern.
Gertner strongly criticized the disclosure of details from her marriage.
“I confided deeply personal details about my marriage to someone I considered a friend. In the months since, I have had to watch as she spread malicious gossip to anyone who would take her call. I trusted this person with the most private chapter of our lives — the early days of our marriage before any campaign was on our mind — and I am deeply hurt by her betrayal and the invasion of our privacy,” she said.
She also emphasized that she and her husband worked through the difficulties together.
“We did the hard work that marriage requires. We went to counseling. We were honest with each other in ways that weren’t easy. And we came through it, not in spite of how much we’ve been through, but because of how much we love each other and the life we’ve built. Our marriage today is stronger than ever before.”
Gertner added, “I know who Graham is. I know the man I married and the husband he has been to me on the best and the worst days of my life. That hasn’t changed, and it won’t.”
The latest scrutiny comes after a series of previous controversies involving Platner.
Reports have highlighted a tattoo he later removed because it resembled a Nazi symbol, as well as past Reddit comments that drew criticism for minimizing sexual assault, making crude remarks about masturbation, and suggesting that a wounded soldier “didn’t deserve to live.”
Despite those issues, Platner has continued to gain traction in the race.
A recent University of New Hampshire poll showed him leading Collins among likely voters by 51% to 42%.
His position as the likely Democratic nominee solidified after Maine Gov. Janet Mills opted not to enter the race earlier this year.
Collins has argued that Platner’s views are too far outside the political mainstream for Maine voters.
“I believe that will be the conclusion of Maine voters,” she previously said. “But, obviously, I don’t take anything for granted.”
