{"id":2613056,"date":"2026-06-10T16:11:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T20:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-democrats-urge-a-reluctant-party-to-coalesce-around-graham-platner\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T16:13:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T20:13:46","slug":"senate-democrats-urge-a-reluctant-party-to-coalesce-around-graham-platner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-democrats-urge-a-reluctant-party-to-coalesce-around-graham-platner\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate Democrats urge a reluctant party to coalesce around Graham Platner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/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%2Fsenate-democrats-urge-a-reluctant-party-to-coalesce-around-graham-platner%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=2613056&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>Senate Democrats are trying to rally behind Graham Platner after he won Maine\u2019s Democratic nomination, aiming to close ranks and improve the party\u2019s chances in a competitive Senate race against longtime centrist Sen. Susan Collins. Some prominent Democrats say the party must \u201ccoalesce\u201d around the nominee now that voters have chosen him, pointing to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >voter-focused messaging<\/a> rather than internal resistance over Platner\u2019s controversies.<\/p>\n<p>Still, skepticism remains within the party. Several senators emphasize that Platner must directly address both personal and political questions raised during his campaign, while others warn there might potentially be additional damaging facts still \u201cunearthed.\u201d Sen. Peter Welch and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, such as, stress the need to win on the issues while avoiding repeated \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-concerning-foreign-policy\/\" title=\"Biden\u2019s Concerning Foreign Policy\">bad behavior<\/a>\u201d questions.<\/p>\n<p>The article also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/explosive-report-as-dobbs-majority-faced-death-threats-liberal-justices-slow-walked-release\/\" title=\"Report: Liberal Justices Slow-Walked Dobbs Release\">notes internal friction<\/a> from Sen. John Fetterman, who is described as Platner\u2019s most outspoken critic among Democrats, citing allegations including offensive conduct and scandals, and indicating he may stay neutral rather than actively support Collins. Platner\u2019s primary victory came with about 72% of the vote, and he framed coverage of his past scandals as a distraction by the \u201cpolitical establishment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Outside the party, President donald Trump intensified the contrast by attacking Platner as a \u201cthug\u201d and endorsing Collins for reelection, further underscoring the Democrats\u2019 challenge of uniting behind Platner to counter Collins.  <\/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\">Senate Democrats want their party to offer the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4583010\/republicans-fall-in-line-ken-paxton-victory\/\">Ken Paxton treatment<\/a> to Graham Platner after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4601303\/collins-platner-maine-senate-primary-results\/\">clinching Maine\u2019s Democratic nomination<\/a> for Senate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hungry to oust longtime centrist Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME), early supporters of the embattled progressive candidate say it\u2019s time their colleagues drop lingering skepticism over personal baggage to embrace the party\u2019s best chance at winning the toss-up seat.<\/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\/white-house\/4602645\/graham-platner-thug-pig-trump\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump says Graham Platner is a \u2018thug\u2019 and a \u2018pig\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4602222\/graham-platner-fires-back-they-want-to-talk-about-me-not-maine\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Graham Platner fires back: \u2018They want to talk about me, not Maine\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4602272\/south-carolina-nevada-swing-race-primary-takeaway\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>South Carolina and Nevada Democrats chose their challengers for swing races and other primary takeaways<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf Democrats want to win the Senate, as I\u2019m sure they do, I think they\u2019re going to rally around the Democratic nominee in Maine,\u201d Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey need to coalesce,\u201d Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said. \u201cHe has taken responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An eagerness for Democrats to embrace Platner, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-confirms-trump-cia-director-ahead-of-weekend-votes-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... confirms Trump CIA director ahead of weekend votes - Washington Examiner\">scandal-plagued nominee<\/a>, resembles <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4583010\/republicans-fall-in-line-ken-paxton-victory\/\">Republicans falling in line<\/a> for the Trump-endorsed Paxton after ousting leadership-backed Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in the competitive Texas Senate race. But even as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats\u2019 campaign arm extend a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CHueyBurns\/status\/2064543866938626497?s=20\">lukewarm embrace<\/a>, there remains a greater reluctance among some to champion Platner in the way Republicans quickly did for Paxton after months of vehemently opposing him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt just doesn\u2019t matter what I think. It literally doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d said Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT).  \u201cIt matters what the voters in Maine think, and the challenge that Platner has is the challenge that any candidate has. It is to address, in a direct way, both personal and political issues that are legitimate questions for the voters. He\u2019s got to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welch added: \u201cUntil the election is over, he\u2019s got work to do every day and every way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) described Platner as a key player to winning back the Senate so Democrats can challenge the Trump administration. But she also expressed anxieties that there could be more yet-to-be-unearthed skeletons for the insurgent nominee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI just hope we\u2019re \u2014 I\u2019m \u2014 not caught again live on TV answering the same questions about bad behavior,\u201d Slotkin said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Democrat most eager to talk about Platner, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), is perhaps the nominee\u2019s strongest opponent within the party over his past transgressions that have come to light on the campaign trail. Those include a Nazi tattoo, <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>, an extramarital sexting scandal, and allegedly toxic former romantic relationships.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI will be the one Democrat to never defend and pretend that he isn\u2019t an absolute mess and a disgrace as a candidate,\u201d Fetterman told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, suggesting he\u2019ll stay neutral and not support Collins. \u201cThe only thing that keeps him alive politically is that there happens to be a \u2018D\u2019 at the end of his name.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), left, join hands at an event in Orono, Maine, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo\/Robert F. Bukaty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner won the Tuesday primary against Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), who suspended her campaign in late April, with roughly 72% of the vote. In his victory speech, he painted reporting on his scandals as an attempt by the \u201cpolitical establishment\u201d to distract voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd they will try to make this race about everything other than what it absolutely is: a simple choice for who will represent us in the U.S. Senate,\u201d Platner told supporters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4602702\/trump-endorse-susan-collins-maine\/\">TRUMP BACKS SUSAN COLLINS FOR REELECTION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">President Donald Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4602645\/graham-platner-thug-pig-trump\/\">lambasted Platner<\/a> Wednesday as a \u201cthug\u201d and an \u201coutright pig\u201d while <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4602702\/trump-endorse-susan-collins-maine\/\">endorsing Collins<\/a> for a sixth term, despite frequently butting heads with the powerful swing-vote senator who doubles as chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s a sane woman, and she\u2019s a respected person, maybe a little different ideology than me,\u201d Trump said of Collins, before blasting Platner. \u201cBut this guy is a thug, he\u2019s a fake, he\u2019s a fake thug, he\u2019s a phony. \u2026 I made a lot of money picking out phonies. He\u2019s a real phony, he\u2019s bad, he\u2019s a bad person.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Christian Datoc and Mabinty Quarshie contributed to this report. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senate Democrats back Graham Platner after Maine nomination, aiming to drop doubts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2613057,"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\/AP26144826991753.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[65649,66122,81151,33619],"class_list":["post-2613056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-graham-platner","tag-legislative-leadership","tag-political-party-strategy","tag-senate-democrats"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26144826991753.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613056","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=2613056"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2613060,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613056\/revisions\/2613060"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2613057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2613056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2613056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2613056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}