In the final days leading up to the Maine primary election, Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner finds himself at the center of a scandal involving explicit sexual messages. The controversy has left several Democratic senators hesitant to express their continued support for Platner.

Controversy Surrounding Platner

The scandal erupted when sexually explicit text exchanges between Platner and multiple women surfaced. These exchanges occurred while he was married to his wife, Amy Gertner. Additionally, Platner’s active profile on the private messaging app Kik, known for its association with casual encounters, has raised further concerns. The app’s lack of proper identification methods has been criticized for enabling inappropriate material sharing.

Platner’s campaign acknowledged the Kik account, Phustle0331, was his, stating it was created in 2016. Although Platner claimed to have deleted the app from his phone, the account remained active.

Democratic Senators’ Reactions

While some Democratic senators have been reluctant to comment on the issue, others have openly supported Platner. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts voiced his backing, emphasizing Platner’s opposition to former President Donald Trump as a key reason for his support. Markey stated, “We have in Maine, a candidate, that is Platner, who wants to stop Trump’s authoritarian destruction of our democracy.”

However, not all Democrats are as forthcoming with their endorsements. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others have continued to back Platner, citing the importance of flipping Maine’s Republican-held Senate seat.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire took a more neutral stance, emphasizing that the decision ultimately lies with Maine voters. “I think that’s up to the voters of Maine to decide,” Shaheen said. “I don’t think inappropriate sexual behavior should be approved by anybody who does it, but the voters of Maine will have to decide that.”

Impact on the Primary

As the primary election approaches, the controversy surrounding Platner poses a significant challenge to his campaign. With only days left, Maine voters must decide whether these revelations will influence their choice in one of the most closely watched Senate races.

Platner invited the entire Senate Democratic caucus to a meeting, but only a handful of senators attended, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Kirsten Gillibrand. The outcome of the primary will reveal whether the scandal has altered the trajectory of Platner’s bid for the Senate seat.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.