Graham Platner is set to face voters Sunday in Portland as new allegations about his past treatment of women swirl around his Maine Senate bid. The Democrat insists the claims are false, even as his campaign races toward a Democratic primary two days later whe
When Graham Platner steps into a town hall-style setting in Portland on Sunday, the question hanging over the room won’t just be about jobs, corruption, or change. It will be whether Mainers can separate the message of his campaign from the latest reporting about his past.
The event comes two days before a Democratic primary that is widely seen as Platner’s path to victory. But the nomination contest may also reveal something subtler: whether voters who backed his iconoclastic style still feel the same pull as new allegations spread.
The New York Times reported Thursday that an ex-girlfriend alleged Platner repeatedly grabbed her by the shoulders during arguments. She also alleged he once twisted her arm behind her back, locked her in a room, and left her there. Platner has repeatedly called those violence allegations untrue.
The same report included interviews with other Platner ex-girlfriends. Some described positive experiences with him. Others told the paper that he could be volatile and insulting.
The town hall pressure arrives after additional news about Platner exchanging sexually explicit messages with several women while married. Through it all, prominent Democrats have not withdrawn support. Even with the allegations in the spotlight, no major Democrats who previously endorsed Platner have rescinded their backing.
Platner is running to oust Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
On Friday in Bar Harbor, Platner held a rally with California Rep. Ro Khanna. He received a standing ovation and declared that Mainers “have my back.” During the campaign. he has framed his personal history as central to his case for change. saying he struggled with alcohol and post traumatic stress disorder after his military service. and that he is a changed man.
The latest reports deepen unease among Democrats who were already watching him closely. Platner had faced scrutiny over online posts described as dismissive of sexual assault and a skull tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol. He apologized for the posts and covered up the tattoo. saying he didn’t realize its significance when he got it.
Rahm Emanuel, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate who spent the weekend in neighboring New Hampshire, said he is still watching how the situation evolves. He said the “jury is still out” on whether Platner can beat Collins.
Emanuel said, “Everybody is holding their breath whether this is the start of something or the end of something,” adding, “If it’s the end, that’s one thing. If it’s the beginning of something and we’re not done, that’s another thing.”
For some voters, the new allegations are not changing their minds. Kurt Fedora. 62. a mental health worker from Buxton. said he attended Sunday’s event to hear Platner talk about working-class issues and fighting corruption. He said he’s unmoved by recent revelations and views them as a smear campaign by conservative opponents.
“Maybe there will be something to it, but they’re really reaching far to try to pin something on him. And it’s politics as usual,” Fedora said.
Others sounded more unsettled—less about a verdict on the allegations and more about the feeling of what Platner has come to represent. Debbi Conley. a 69-year-old retiree from Gorham. said she wants to learn more about him even though she’s almost certain he’ll win on Tuesday. Still, she said she’s skeptical.
“I think people have been frustrated with Susan Collins, so they’re looking for alternatives,” Conley said. “My concerns with Graham Platner are that he’s talking about change, but sometimes it reminds me of the same talk that Trump had like ‘drain the swamp.’”
The primary two days from now may decide who represents Democrats against Collins in November. But for many voters, the town hall in Portland feels like a first, direct test: not just of policy, but of credibility—under lights that have grown brighter with every new account.
Graham Platner Maine Senate race Susan Collins Democratic primary Portland town hall Ro Khanna Rahm Emanuel allegations women campaign
So is this like officially proven or just “allegations” again?
I saw the headline about grabbed her by the shoulders and it’s just gross. How are Democrats still backing him? This makes me not want to vote for either side.
Wait he’s running for Susan Collins’ seat, but the article is talking about ex-girlfriends and married stuff… like why is Ro Khanna even at a rally for this dude if people are saying he twisted an arm and locked her in a room?? I don’t get it. Isn’t that disqualifying?
Town hall Sunday won’t change anything if the New York Times already reported it, honestly. And the part about sexually explicit messages while married just screams red flag. Also it says other ex-girlfriends said positive things too, so maybe it’s all overblown? But grabbing by the shoulders and leaving someone locked up? idk man, people can be volatile, but that sounds way beyond politics.