Schumer mum on details after meeting with Graham Platner
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer gave few specifics Tuesday after meeting with Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner following Platner’s Democratic nomination momentum after Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign. schumer repeatedly dodged questions at his weekly press conference about whether he was satisfied with Platner’s explanations for recent controversies and whether Mills should reenter the race, though he said he expects Democrats to defeat Sen. Susan Collins.
Platner has drawn backlash after reports claimed he exchanged sexually explicit messages with women other than his wife. Other party figures expressed doubts about his electability: Sen. Cory Booker said he has concerns and expects Platner to address the scandals on the campaign trail, while Sen.John Fetterman criticized Platner and likened the text scandal to disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell.
the controversy has also extended beyond the messages, including concern about Platner’s past social media activity and a tattoo featuring a Nazi symbol. Platner has characterized the extramarital accusations as “gossip,” said he has a “happy marriage,” and claimed his social media behavior and tattoo occurred during a challenging period in his life.
Maine’s Democratic primary is set for June 9, with Platner portrayed as the de facto nominee. The article also notes a Maine law that could allow Democrats to replace Platner for the general election even if he wins the primary, if he withdraws before a stated deadline. Schumer did not say whether tuesday’s meeting involved any effort to bring Mills back, and he reaffirmed his support for Platner.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) offered scant details Tuesday about his meeting with Maine’s embattled Senate hopeful Graham Platner after the Democratic candidate met with Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill.
In the past week, Platner has faced significant backlash after reports surfaced that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with several women who were not his wife, leaving party members concerned about unseating Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in November.
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Schumer repeatedly sidestepped questions about Platner during his weekly press conference following the closed-door meeting.
“We’re going to beat Susan Collins and take back the Senate,” Schumer responded to five separate questions.
Schumer was asked if he was satisfied with Platner’s explanations for the controversies he has faced, and if he believes Platner’s former competitor, Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), should reenter the race. Each question was met with the same response.
Platner also declined to answer questions from reporters as he entered the meeting with Schumer and other Senate Democrats earlier in the day.
While Schumer voiced confidence in Platner’s ability to beat Collins, other prominent Democrats are not as sure about his chances.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said he has “concerns” about Platner, adding that the candidate will have to address his scandals on the campaign trail.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who is known for splitting with his party on several issues, criticized Platner and compared the text scandal to disgraced former California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned from office in April after multiple women accused him of sexual assault and rape.
Platner’s past social media activity and a tattoo featuring a Nazi symbol have also caused controversy during his time campaigning.
He has referred to the reports about his extramarital engagements as “gossip” and claimed to have a “happy marriage.” As for his digital footprint and tattoo, he said the former were made during a troubled time in his life, while the latter he claimed to have gotten while drunk.
Maine’s Democratic primary will take place June 9, with Platner the de facto nominee after Mills suspended her campaign. Schumer had endorsed Mills, but shifted his backing to Platner after the governor’s withdrawal.
FETTERMAN COMPARES PLATNER’S SEXTING SCANDAL TO ERIC SWALWELL
A Maine statute allows Platner to withdraw from the general election before July 13 and subsequently be replaced by the Democratic Party even if he wins the primary on June 9. This law provides Democrats with a theoretical path to nominate a different candidate. The party would have to nominate his replacement by July 27.
Mills recently assured voters her name would still appear on the ballot, clarifying that she stopped actively campaigning in the Senate race. Schumer declined to answer if Tuesday’s meeting involved a plan to get Mills back in the race, and he reaffirmed he has endorsed Platner.
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