Graham Platner, a Senate candidate from Maine, was the subject of a disclosure made by his wife, Amy Gertner, during a vetting process last summer. Gertner informed campaign aide Genevieve McDonald that she had discovered sexually explicit texts from Platner to multiple women on his phone. This disclosure was intended to assess whether these past relationships could impact his campaign.
Gertner and Platner were married in November 2023. The revelation adds to a series of controversies surrounding Platner's campaign against incumbent Senator Susan Collins. Platner has faced scrutiny for past social media posts and a tattoo that has drawn criticism.
Since Governor Janet Mills withdrew from the race in April, Platner has been viewed as the likely Democratic nominee. A recent University of New Hampshire poll indicated that Platner is leading Collins by 9 percentage points in a hypothetical matchup.
In a statement, Gertner described McDonald as a friend and noted that the campaign staff decided the matter was private and being addressed through marriage counseling. She affirmed her commitment to Platner, stating, "I know who Graham is... That hasn’t changed, and it won’t."
Platner's campaign confirmed the report and Gertner expressed in a video that they have a strong marriage and prioritize their mental health. The Washington Examiner verified that an account on the messaging app Kik appears to belong to Platner.
Democrats view this race as significant in the upcoming midterm elections, particularly due to Platner's populist platform. He has recently engaged in public disputes with Collins regarding his military service and past comments about historical events. Support for Platner was also expressed by Representative Ro Khanna, who praised him for his character.
Gertner had confided in McDonald about the texts shortly before a campaign rally with Senator Bernie Sanders. She later expressed feeling hurt by the situation, citing an invasion of privacy. Platner's strategist criticized the handling of the matter, stating that personal issues prior to his candidacy should not be public.
A campaign official indicated that Platner had communicated with up to six women, but this behavior ceased before his campaign began. McDonald, who resigned in October, suggested that the number of women he contacted could be as high as a dozen.