{"id":2609223,"date":"2026-06-01T17:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T21:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mills-hints-at-resurrecting-maine-senate-bid-amid-platner-scandals\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T17:31:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T21:31:56","slug":"mills-hints-at-resurrecting-maine-senate-bid-amid-platner-scandals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mills-hints-at-resurrecting-maine-senate-bid-amid-platner-scandals\/","title":{"rendered":"Mills hints at resurrecting Maine Senate bid amid Platner scandals"},"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%2Fmills-hints-at-resurrecting-maine-senate-bid-amid-platner-scandals%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=2609223&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>Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) said she would only suspend-not withdraw from-the Maine Senate race against Democrat graham Platner,noting she is still on the ballot. Her comment came <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/france-recalls-ambassadors-to-u-s-australia-amid-fallout-over-submarine-deal\/\" title=\"France Recalls Ambassadors To U.S., Australia Amid Fallout Over Submarine Deal\">amid fallout<\/a> from Platner\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >latest scandal involving sexually explicit texts<\/a> he said he exchanged with women other than his wife, Amy Gertner, and revelations about a Kik profile found on his phone.<\/p>\n<p>While Mills suggested she could restart active campaigning, Platner is traveling to Washington this week to meet Senate democrats and fundraise, as he attempts to manage the political damage threatening his chances in the battleground general election against centrist Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). The article also notes prior criticism of Platner for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disney-faces-massive-backlash-for-firing-gina-carano-as-cancel-disney-plus-trends-1-critics-bring-up-companys-history\/\" title=\"Disney Faces Massive Backlash For Firing Gina Carano As \u2018Cancel Disney Plus\u2019 Trends #1, Critics Bring Up Company\u2019s History\">offensive social media posts<\/a> and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol that he covered.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Mills\u2019s remarks, Platner remains the presumptive Democratic nominee for the June 9 primary, and polling before and after mills paused her campaign is described as tightening.  <\/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\">Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) suggested she could restart her Maine Senate campaign after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4549217\/janet-mills-drops-out-maine-senate-race-clearing-way-platner\/\">suspending it in April<\/a> against Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner<\/a> as the embattled progressive insurgent faces fallout from his latest scandal involving <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588537\/platner-wife-sexually-explicit-texts-aide\/\">sexts to women<\/a> who were not his wife.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPeople have the impression that I \u2018withdrew\u2019 or \u2018dropped out,\u2019\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2026\/06\/01\/unfortunately-for-graham-platner-he-needs-women-on-his-side-to-win-steve-collins\/\">Mills told<\/a> the <em>Portland Press Herald<\/em>. \u201cBut I simply suspended active campaigning. I am still on the ballot.\u201d<\/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\/4589805\/ro-khanna-platner-maine-rally\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ro Khanna announces get-out-the-vote rally with Graham Platner in Maine<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4589385\/graham-platner-ad-trumpian-rhetoric-taking-back-what-is-ours\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>New Platner ad leans into Trumpian rhetoric: \u2018Taking back what is ours\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4588970\/graham-platner-susan-collins-financial-disclosures\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Graham Platner homes in on Susan Collins\u2019s financial disclosures after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/graham-platner-homes-in-on-susan-collinss-financial-disclosures-after-weekend-playing-defense-over-explicit-texts\/\" title=\"... homes in on Susan Collins&#039;s financial disclosures after weekend playing defense over explicit texts\">weekend playing defense<\/a> over explicit texts<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> has reached out to the Mills campaign for additional comment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner will travel to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"260\">Washington<\/a> on Tuesday to meet with Senate Democrats and fundraise, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/06\/01\/graham-platner-maine-democratic-senators\">according to <em>Axios<\/em><\/a>, as he manages the political fallout from the latest scandal that threatens to weigh him down in the battleground general election against centrist Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1302\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner and his wife, Amy Gertner, confirmed over the weekend that Graham exchanged sexually explicit texts with women other than Gertner since they got married in 2023. It was also uncovered over the weekend that he has a profile on the Kik messaging app, which the campaign described as inactive and no longer installed on Platner\u2019s phone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner accused media outlets of having \u201crun gossip instead of wanting to talk about the things that actually matter in this race, which are the material realities that Mainers are working with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588537\/platner-wife-sexually-explicit-texts-aide\/\">GRAHAM PLATNER\u2019S WIFE RAISED SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXTS TO A SENATE CAMPAIGN AIDE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner has also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-dakota-lowers-unemployment-to-pre-pandemic-levels-after-state-rejected-lockdowns\/\" title=\"South Dakota Lowers Unemployment to Pre...Pandemic Levels After State Rejected Lockdowns\">faced criticism<\/a> for since-deleted\u00a0offensive <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4576279\/graham-platner-marine-oyster-farmer-communist\/\">social media posts<\/a> and a\u00a0tattoo\u00a0resembling a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3859770\/maine-senate-candidate-graham-platner-nazi-tattoo-covered\/\">Totenkopf Nazi symbol<\/a>, which he\u2019s since had covered by another tattoo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite Mills\u2019s remarks, Platner remains the presumptive Democratic nominee for the June 9 primary. Prior to suspending her campaign, Mills was lagging in some polling by double digits but had closed that gap to 9 points in a recent <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\/\">University of New Hampshire survey<\/a> conducted in the weeks since pausing her candidacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mills says she paused, not quit, campaign-still on ballot amid Platner sext scandal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2609224,"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\/03\/image-collage-9f4ib0a9d-1773774286942-e1773774398978.jpg?1780333400&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[80637,45119,48765],"class_list":["post-2609223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-ellen-mills","tag-maine-politics","tag-state-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-collage-9f4ib0a9d-1773774286942-e1773774398978.jpg?1780333400&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609223","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\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2609223"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609227,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609223\/revisions\/2609227"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}