Democratic senators are avoiding direct answers about Graham Platner’s controversy-filled Senate campaign in Maine, as resurfaced online comments continue raising questions about whether he could become a liability in the race against Sen. Susan Collins.
Platner is running for the Democratic nomination in Maine, where Democrats believe they have a serious chance to defeat Collins, a moderate Republican who has held the seat since 1997.
But Platner’s past comments have created political problems for the party. Several resurfaced posts have included vulgar or controversial remarks involving sexual abuse, race and terrorism, forcing Democrats to decide whether to defend him, distance themselves or stay quiet.
So far, many are choosing silence.
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Sen. Dick Durbin said he was not closely following the race when asked about Platner.
“I’m not following that race closely,” Durbin said.
Sen. Cory Booker also said he had not been focused on the Maine contest, but added that he would review the situation more carefully.
“I have not been focusing on this race,” Booker said. He added that Platner has a case to make to Maine voters, not to senators in Washington.
Sen. Peter Welch said the decision belongs to voters in Maine.
“It’s up to Maine,” Welch said. “It’s up to Maine’s people.”
The cautious responses show that Democrats are not eager to get pulled into the controversy, especially before the nomination is settled.
The Maine seat is one of the party’s major pickup opportunities in 2026. Collins has survived tough races before, including her 2021 reelection win over Democrat Sara Gideon.
Democrats see Maine as winnable because the state leans more Democratic in presidential elections, but Collins has built a reputation as an independent-minded Republican with crossover appeal.
If Platner becomes the nominee, Democrats may have to defend his past comments while trying to keep the focus on Collins, abortion, healthcare, Trump and the balance of power in the Senate.
Republicans are already using the resurfaced posts to argue that Platner is too extreme and too damaged to represent Maine.
The controversy could also create problems for national Democrats, who will need to decide how much money and support to put behind the race if Platner wins the nomination.
For now, top Democratic senators appear unwilling to give Republicans more ammunition.
But as the Maine Senate race heats up, Platner’s past comments are likely to remain a major issue unless he can convince voters they do not define his campaign.
Maine Senate Dem candidate Graham Platner gushed over phallic graffiti, boasted about porta potty sex acts in Reddit posts https://t.co/8lCunza0PN pic.twitter.com/SZ5BSkquoK
— New York Post (@nypost) May 19, 2026
