Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner pushed back against new allegations surrounding his past conduct, telling supporters at a rally in Bar Harbor, Maine, that the attacks against him are politically motivated and false.
Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer running to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, has faced a difficult stretch in his campaign as several controversies have drawn national attention. Those controversies include resurfaced Reddit comments, a tattoo that critics said resembled a Nazi-linked symbol, and new allegations from former romantic partners about troubling behavior more than a decade ago.
At Friday’s rally, Platner thanked supporters for standing by him and framed the scrutiny as an effort to derail his campaign. He said his past struggles, including post-traumatic stress disorder after military service, have been “dug up” and “weaponized” against him.
“When politically motivated, serious and false accusations are made against me, Maine, you have my back,” Platner said.
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The allegations were reported by The New York Times and included claims from former partners who described what they said was volatile or threatening behavior. Platner has denied the most serious accusations. The Associated Press reported that one ex-girlfriend alleged Platner grabbed her hard enough to leave marks, pulled her from a cab by the wrist, and once twisted her arm behind her back and held her in a room. Platner denied that account.
Maine Public reported that the New York Times story was based on interviews with three former romantic partners, and that Platner responded by arguing that his opponents do not want to focus on the economic problems facing voters.
The controversy has complicated what is already one of the most important Senate races in the country. Collins, a long-serving Republican who is seeking a sixth term, is widely viewed as one of the Democrats’ top targets as both parties fight for control of the Senate.
Platner has built his campaign around an economically populist message. He has criticized corporate influence in politics, called for stronger support for working-class voters, and drawn support from major progressive figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ro Khanna.
Khanna, who helped organize the Bar Harbor rally, defended Platner while also acknowledging the seriousness of the broader discussion. In comments reported by Fox News, Khanna said he opposes misogyny and described some past relationships as “toxic and volatile,” while arguing that Platner has taken accountability and changed over time.
Collins responded more cautiously, telling reporters that the latest allegations are troubling and that Platner has “a lot of questions to answer,” according to Fox News.
Republicans are already using the controversies to argue that Platner is unfit for office. Outside groups aligned with Collins have highlighted the allegations and past controversies in ads and online attacks. The Republican National Committee also amplified the issue on social media after Friday’s rally.
For Democrats, the situation is politically difficult. Platner has shown strength with progressive voters and has been viewed as the likely Democratic nominee after Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign. However, the new allegations have led some Democrats and voters to question whether the party should continue rallying behind him.
Mills’ name reportedly remains on the ballot, and some in Maine politics have suggested she could face pressure to reenter the race. At this point, however, there does not appear to be an active campaign effort on her behalf.
Platner’s campaign argued that the rally showed he still has strong grassroots support. His team said more than 600 people attended the Bar Harbor event and that the campaign raised $200,000 in the previous 24 hours, which it described as its strongest fundraising day since Mills suspended her campaign.
Voters appear divided. Some say the controversies are too serious to ignore and could hurt Democratic chances against Collins. Others argue that Platner has acknowledged past mistakes, served his country, and should be judged by his current platform and record of personal growth.
The race is now likely to become a test of whether Platner can keep the focus on economic issues or whether the allegations and past controversies will define his campaign.
Why It Matters
Maine’s Senate race could help decide which party controls the Senate. If Platner becomes the Democratic nominee, Republicans are likely to make his past controversies a central issue in the general election.
The allegations also create a challenge for progressive Democrats who support Platner’s economic message but must now answer questions about his personal history and whether he remains the strongest candidate against Collins.
What Comes Next
Platner is expected to continue campaigning and deny the most serious allegations while trying to shift attention back to his working-class economic agenda.
Democrats will watch closely to see whether his support holds, whether Mills faces more pressure to reenter the race, and whether Collins’ allies continue using the controversies in ads ahead of the general election.
NOW: Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner addresses supporters in Maine.
“When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out into the public as I shared my personal journey through PTSD and darkness of recovery and accountability and growth, Maine had my… pic.twitter.com/fSv0eZgJtY
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 6, 2026
