Platner memo reveals campaign’s strategy after scandals
The memo from Graham Platner’s campaign says it is indeed responding to a newly surfaced scandal in which Platner is accused of sending sexually explicit texts to multiple women during his marriage. To counter the fallout, the campaign plans to emphasize his current polling edge over incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a strong fundraising surge, and messaging that Maine voters remain focused on the issues rather than the controversy.
Citing a Public Policy Polling survey of 670 Maine registered voters, the campaign claims Platner leads Collins 49% to 45%, with about 6% undecided. It also notes that while Platner’s margin has narrowed compared with a May poll where he led by 9 points, voters who were told about the texting scandal still preferred Platner by four points. The memo similarly highlights that fundraising reportedly increased, including a rise in small-dollar donations-particularly from Maine voters.
The campaign argues Collins is losing “her grip” because she is not addressing what voters care about, especially cost of living and whether they still trust her. It adds that even after hearing negative data about both candidates, the poll results remained favorable to Platner.The report comes after Platner met with national Democratic leaders, including Chuck Schumer, and after questions about the scandal were addressed evasively.
The campaign team for Maine Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner reportedly sent out a memo on Wednesday revealing its strategy to boost the candidate after a new scandal emerged last week.
Platner’s campaign plans to highlight his polling lead over incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a strong fundraising week, and Maine voters maintaining their support for him following reports that Platner sent sexual texts to multiple women during his marriage, according to the memo.
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The campaign said the bottom line is that Collins is “losing her grip” on Maine’s voters because she is not focusing on the issues they care about.
“This is a race against an incumbent losing her grip on voters who put her there,” the memo said. “Maine is focused on the cost of living and whether it still trusts Susan Collins. Across the board — the poll numbers, the fundraising, the conversations with voters — all signs point in our favor.”
His campaign highlighted a Public Policy Polling survey conducted following news of Platner’s extramarital exchanges reported over the weekend. The survey found that Platner has a 4-point lead over Collins in a head-to-head matchup in the general election, with 49% for Platner and 45% for Collins. The survey consisted of 670 registered voters in Maine, and roughly 6% said they were undecided.
While his campaign touted his 4-point advantage, the margin decreased from polls conducted in May before the sexually explicit texting scandal. A University of New Hampshire poll conducted from May 21-25 favored Platner by 9 points over Collins.
The recent PPP poll also asked participants who they preferred after hearing negative information about each candidate. For Platner, participants were told about the recent texting scandal, and for Collins, they were told the senator “used her position as US Senator to help steer over $50 million in government contracts to her husband’s company,” claims that the Associated Press said were unfounded in 2020, but Platner has continued to boast.
After receiving the negative information, surveyed voters still favored Platner by a 4-point margin.
The campaign also said it has seen “some of the strongest fundraising” thus far in the days after Platner’s controversy dominated the news cycle. It said there was an 18% increase in small-dollar donations compared to the previous week, with Maine voters driving a 27% increase.
As for Maine voters, Platner’s campaign framed them as unbothered by his controversies because of his platform.
“They care that you’re fighting for their hospitals, their wages, their housing, and their kids,” the reported memo said. “This campaign has always been about the ideas that will move Maine forward.”
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Reports of the damage control memo follow Platner’s meeting with national party leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who later sidestepped several questions about the exchange, reaffirming the party’s determination to unseat Collins.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Platner’s campaign for comment.
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