{"id":2609323,"date":"2026-06-01T21:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T01:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-offer-little-support-as-platner-faces-new-controversy\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T21:35:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T01:35:02","slug":"democrats-offer-little-support-as-platner-faces-new-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-offer-little-support-as-platner-faces-new-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats offer little support as Platner faces new controversy"},"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\">18<\/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%2Fdemocrats-offer-little-support-as-platner-faces-new-controversy%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=2609323&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>Graham Platner, the leading Democratic candidate to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in Maine, is facing pushback within his own party over a newly public extramarital sexting scandal.While Democrats say they want to focus on major policy issues,several party figures have stayed cautious or out of the controversy rather than defending him,including Sen. Andy Kim, Sen. Tim Kaine, and independent Sen. Angus King.<\/p>\n<p>Platner has minimized the allegations, arguing media coverage is meant to distract voters, and he has pointed to defenders who echo that framing. Supporters-including sen. Bernie Sanders-have urged attention to issues like healthcare and housing, noting Platner\u2019s wife has remained supportive.<\/p>\n<p>The article also compares platner\u2019s situation to Republicans\u2019 struggles in Texas involving Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose personal conduct helped fuel criticism; despite differences, the parallels are used to frame how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-bidens-weird-artwork-to-get-nyc-exhibition-expected-to-fetch-1-million\/\" title=\"Hunter Biden\u2019s Weird Artwork To Get NYC Exhibition, Expected To Fetch  Million\">personal scandals<\/a> can complicate general-election messaging. Separately, Gov. Janet Mills suggested she could revive her Maine Senate bid even as she maintains she is still on the ballot and takes a more measured approach, with Platner set to meet with Senate Democrats in Washington ahead of his June 9 primary.  <\/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\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner<\/a> may be the presumptive Democratic nominee to take on Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME) in November, but Senate Democrats are keeping the progressive insurgent at arm\u2019s length amid a new <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588537\/platner-wife-sexually-explicit-texts-aide\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4588537\/platner-wife-sexually-explicit-texts-aide\/\">extramarital sexting<\/a> scandal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner, who has already weathered scrutiny over past racist and sexist Reddit posts and for having a tattoo of a Nazi symbol, is now embroiled in a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >controversy involving alleged sexual messages texted<\/a> to women other than his wife. Yet, few of Platner\u2019s potential colleagues within the Senate Democratic Caucus are coming to his defense amid the new revelations.<\/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\/4590281\/the-view-graham-platner-senate-maine\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>The View rips Graham Platner: \u2018Keep it in your pants\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590249\/trump-taps-kentucky-nate-morris-colombia-ambassador\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump taps Kentucky\u2019s Nate Morris for Colombia ambassador post<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590167\/janet-mills-hints-resurrect-maine-senate-bid-graham-platner-scandals\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Janet Mills hints at resurrecting Maine Senate bid amid Graham Platner scandals<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve been very busy in New Jersey with this crisis I\u2019m having right now,\u201d said Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), referencing a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4581315\/mikie-sherrill-ice-facility-hunger-strike\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4581315\">hunger strike<\/a> at an immigration detention facility in his home state.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elissa-slotkin\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11673\">Elissa Slotkin<\/a> (D-MI) said she has not \u201cbeen following the ins and outs\u201d and will \u201cwork with whoever the state of Maine elects.\u201d Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), a former vice presidential nominee, said he is simply \u201cstaying out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you want to ask me about it, you can ask me after the dust has settled from the primary next week,\u201d Kaine said, noting there are also lesser-known Democratic candidates on the ballot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Angus King (I-ME), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, does not \u201cget involved in any campaigns involving a sitting colleague.\u201d King, who works with Collins as part of the Maine delegation, would be in a similar position were Platner to win in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner has downplayed the controversy, in which he sent sexual texts to women other than his wife after they married in 2023. The issue came to attention after a former campaign aide disclosed that Platner\u2019s wife had flagged the sexual messages last year over concerns they could damage his Senate bid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner has accused the media of trying to distract voters from key policy issues by reporting on the existence of the sexual messages. It\u2019s a messaging tactic that his more outspoken defenders in the Senate also embraced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis country faces enormous crises,\u201d said Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"41\">Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-VT), one of Platner\u2019s earliest supporters, citing healthcare, housing, and affordability. \u201cI think it\u2019s important for us to focus on the issues facing working families a little bit more than Graham Plattner\u2019s marriage. And my understanding is that his wife \u2026 is standing by her husband, and I wish their marriage the very best.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, speaks at an event hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders in Orono, Maine, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo\/Robert F. Bukaty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner\u2019s personal baggage draws similarities to that of the challenges Republicans face in Texas with state Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4370\">Ken Paxton<\/a>, who ousted Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in a primary runoff. An extramarital affair by Paxton contributed to the divorce with his wife and was a subject of criticism from national Republicans who supported Cornyn in the primary but have since been forced to rally around their nominee as he faces Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-talarico\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17710\">James Talarico<\/a> in the general election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cKen Paxton\u2019s actually corrupt as s***,\u201d Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, referring to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/talarico-and-paxton-court-the-cornyn-vote\/\" title=\"Talarico and ... court the Cornyn vote\">past criminal indictments<\/a> and a state impeachment trial. Paxton was not convicted in either instance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAt the end of the day, personal this and that, Ken\u2019s not focusing on the cost of living right now. Ken\u2019s not focusing on how expensive it is to buy food, rent an apartment, get a car. Platner is,\u201d Gallego continued. \u201cMaybe they have these issues that everyone can talk about. But at the end of the day, Ken\u2019s not actually dealing with the everyday things that actually people care about. It\u2019s actually survival.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590167\/janet-mills-hints-resurrect-maine-senate-bid-graham-platner-scandals\/\">JANET MILLS HINTS AT RESURRECTING MAINE SENATE BID AMID GRAHAM PLATNER SCANDALS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\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 Platner, <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\/\">telling a local outlet<\/a> over the weekend that she \u201csimply suspended active campaigning. I am still on the ballot.\u201d Platner will meet with Senate Democrats in Washington on Tuesday, one week before his June 9 primary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats distance from Graham Platner after sexting scandal, amid prior controversies<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2609324,"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\/06\/AP26144824646665.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50410,3685,6571,5894,39734],"class_list":["post-2609323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-controversy-2","tag-democrats","tag-elections","tag-politics","tag-public-figures"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26144824646665.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609323","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=2609323"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609327,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609323\/revisions\/2609327"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}