{"id":2608853,"date":"2026-05-31T17:37:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T21:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sen-cory-booker-voices-concerns-with-platner-after-latest-scandal\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T17:38:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T21:38:18","slug":"sen-cory-booker-voices-concerns-with-platner-after-latest-scandal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sen-cory-booker-voices-concerns-with-platner-after-latest-scandal\/","title":{"rendered":"Sen. Cory Booker voices &#8216;concerns&#8217; with Platner after latest scandal"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsen-cory-booker-voices-concerns-with-platner-after-latest-scandal%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2608853&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Sen. Cory Booker saeid he has \u201cconcerns\u201d that Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner could hurt Democrats\u2019 chances of defeating incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in Maine. Speaking on ABC\u2019s *This Week*, Booker said Platner \u201chas questions to answer,\u201d adding that campaigns should be where those are addressed.  <\/p>\n<p>The concerns come after Platner\u2019s campaign confirmed a report that his wife, Amy Gertner, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/platners-wife-raised-sexually-explicit-texts-to-senate-campaign-aide-report\/\" title=\"Platner&#039;s wife raised sexually explicit texts to ... campaign aide: ...\">found sexually explicit texts<\/a> on his phone last summer. The article also notes growing controversy around Platner, including earlier allegations and scrutiny of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >past social media activity<\/a> and a tattoo featuring a Nazi symbol.  <\/p>\n<p>Other Democrats weighed in as well: chris Murphy said Platner \u201cmade mistakes\u201d while arguing Collins is \u201cprotecting Donald Trump\u2019s corruption,\u201d Andy Kim was less direct but said he will work with whoever Maine voters choose,and Rep. Jake Auchincloss said Platner\u2019s tattoo is \u201cpersonally disqualifying.\u201d Gertner said she remains loyal to Platner and that the couple is in marriage counseling.  <\/p>\n<p>The piece adds that Maine law could allow Democrats to replace Platner on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ed-morrissey-baked-alaskan-60-of-voters-cast-ballots-for-republicans-a-democrat-won\/\" title=\"Ed Morrissey: Baked Alaskan: 60% of voters cast ballots for Republicans. A Democrat won.\">general-election ballot<\/a> if he withdraws before July 13, even if he wins the June 9 primary. It also highlights polling that shows Platner leading Collins by 9 points and frames the race as important for Democrats\u2019 effort to retake the Senate.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cory-booker\/\">Cory Booker<\/a> (D-NJ) said Sunday he has \u201cconcerns\u201d about <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/maine\">Maine<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/senate\/\">Senate<\/a> candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner<\/a> undermining Democrats\u2019 chances to defeat incumbent Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME) in the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While speaking with ABC News\u2019 Jonathan Karl on \u201cThis Week,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ijlvsijhn9k\">Booker answered<\/a> affirmatively when asked directly if he thinks Platner \u201cmay jeopardize Democratic hopes to get that Senate seat in Maine.\u201d Platner\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588537\/platner-wife-sexually-explicit-texts-aide\/\">campaign confirmed reports<\/a> Saturday that his wife, Amy Gertner, had found \u201csexually explicit texts with several women\u201d on his phone late last summer.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588750\/chris-murphy-graham-platner-texts\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Sen. Chris Murphy says Platner \u2018made mistakes\u2019 after explicit texts revealed<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588700\/not-republican-party-maga-party-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018This is not the Republican Party anymore, it\u2019s the MAGA party\u2019: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4588623\/dnc-ken-martin-support-2024-election-autopsy\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats leave DNC\u2019s Ken Martin hanging after botched 2024 election autopsy<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> \u201cYeah, I have concerns,\u201d Booker said. \u201cThat guy has questions to answer, and that\u2019s what campaigns are for.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Booker spent much of his answer warning about the dangers posed by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> and rising living costs in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\">New Jersey<\/a>, saying \u201cso much is riding on Democrats taking control of the Senate\u201d to check what he called \u201can out-of-control president.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Saturday report about Platner\u2019s extramarital relationships added to mounting scrutiny of the progressive Democrat, whose past <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4588033\/graham-platner-question-armenia-genocide-reddit\/\">social media activity<\/a> and a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3858840\/maine-senate-graham-platner-nazi-tattoo\/\">tattoo featuring a Nazi symbol<\/a> have also caused controversy. The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> independently confirmed Saturday night that an account on Kik, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/london-breeds-asian-american-approval-soars-as-she-cracks-down-on-crime-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"London Breed\u2019s Asian American approval soars as she cracks down on crime - Washington Examiner\">social messaging platform<\/a>, belongs to Platner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sens. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/andy-kim\/\">Andy Kim<\/a> (D-NJ) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chris-murphy\/\">Chris Murphy<\/a> (D-CT) also commented on Platner\u2019s most recent controversy on Sunday, though neither expressed overt concern like Booker.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Murphy <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588750\/chris-murphy-graham-platner-texts\/\">said Platner<\/a> has \u201cmade mistakes\u201d but defended his character and claimed Collins is \u201cprotecting Donald Trump\u2019s corruption.\u201d Kim also largely dodged questions about Platner <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/05\/31\/politics\/video\/andy-kim-platner-scandal\">in an interview<\/a>, saying he\u2019s been focused on his home state and hasn\u2019t met him, before adding that he \u201cwill work with whoever the people of Maine elect.\u201d Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4581699\/dem-jake-auchincloss-refuses-endorse-platner-disqualifying-tattoo\/\">said last Monday<\/a> that Platner\u2019s tattoo is \u201cpersonally disqualifying.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gertner said in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/grahamformaine\/status\/2060870067189932409?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\">a statement<\/a> released Saturday night that she remains loyal to Platner and that the couple has been receiving marriage counseling. She also said she was \u201creally angry\u201d about the report surfacing, saying that people would rather talk about the report than the issues Platner is running on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588575\/how-democrats-could-replace-platner-after-primary\/\">Maine statute<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588575\/how-democrats-could-replace-platner-after-primary\/\"><strong>HOW DEMOCRATS COULD REPLACE PLATNER ON THE MAINE SENATE TICKET AFTER HE WINS THE PRIMARY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Booker is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dnc-buzz-walz-wednesday-sit-in-and-gender-neutral-prayer-room-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"DNC Buzz: Walz Wednesday, sit-in, and gender neutral prayer room - Washington Examiner\">potential 2028 presidential candidate<\/a> who is up for reelection in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A University of New Hampshire <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4584311\/graham-platner-lead-susan-collins-9-points-maine-senate-poll\/\">poll released<\/a> Thursday shows Platner with a 9 percentage-point lead over Collins. The race is seen as critical to Democrats\u2019 chances to retake the upper chamber.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Booker says he has \u201cconcerns\u201d Platner could hurt Democrats\u2019 chances against Susan Collins<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3238,"featured_media":2608854,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/corybookergrahamplatnercollage.jpg?1780246990&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[44753,4381,5894,80572,7169],"class_list":["post-2608853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-cory-booker","tag-ethics","tag-politics","tag-public-concern","tag-scandals"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/corybookergrahamplatnercollage.jpg?1780246990&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3238"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2608853"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2608857,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608853\/revisions\/2608857"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2608854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2608853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2608853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2608853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}