Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner continues to lead in Maine primary polling despite growing discomfort within his own party regarding recent revelations about his personal conduct, just days before Tuesday’s primary election.
Several Democratic members of Congress appeared on Sunday morning television programs to voice their concerns about the party’s frontrunner for November’s Senate race, though no lawmakers urged him to abandon his campaign following news reports about inappropriate text exchanges with women during his marriage and allegations from former romantic partners who characterized his conduct as “toxic.”
New York Representative Tom Suozzi told CNN’s “State of the Union” that recent media coverage has highlighted his existing concerns about the candidate. “I’ve been unsettled about Graham Platner for a long time about the issues and the positions he takes on issues, not just the allegations about his personal conduct,” Suozzi stated.
Virginia Senator Mark Warner described the allegations as “disturbing” if proven accurate during his appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” However, Warner noted that President Donald Trump’s electoral success demonstrates politicians can overcome accusations of inappropriate behavior toward women.
“I think President Trump set a new standard,” Warner explained. “Whether that low standard is what we ought to proceed with, I think it’s going to be again in the hands of the voters.”
Platner’s campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment. The candidate has previously issued apologies for the text messages while dismissing the reports as politically motivated attacks.
California Representative Ro Khanna, who recently campaigned for Platner in Maine, suggested on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that Democrats should acknowledge the inappropriate behavior before moving forward with their focus on national priorities.
“We should focus on acknowledging it was misogynistic, acknowledging it was wrong, moving on with redemption,” Khanna said during the Sunday program.
Should Platner secure victory in Tuesday’s primary, he would likely face incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in what observers expect to be one of the nation’s most competitive Senate races.
Republican officials also criticized Platner during their television appearances. The candidate is set to conduct a town hall meeting in Maine on Sunday evening.
Pennsylvania Representative Brian Fitzpatrick called Platner’s history “very, very troubling” during his CNN interview. “We have to set a higher bar,” Fitzpatrick declared.
Pennsylvania Republican Senator Dave McCormick labeled Platner among the Democrats’ “extreme” nominees during Fox News’s “Sunday Briefing.”
“Who would have thought you could be a misogynist, have allegations of violence against women … and have the mainstream of your party endorsing you?” McCormick questioned.
