Tangent
Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, reminded voters amid Platner’s controversy that despite suspending her campaign for the Democratic nomination in April, she is still on the ballot, telling the Portland Press Herald “people have the impression that I ‘withdrew’ or ‘dropped out.’”
Key Background
Platner spoke alongside his wife at a campaign event this week, saying he was not surprised “establishment media outlets” were running “gossip” instead of issues that “actually matter in this race.” Gertner said in a video published by Platner’s campaign she was “really angry, disappointed” that her disclosure to her husband’s campaign was made public. Progressives have also backed Platner up amid the controversy, with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., telling the Associated Press that as voters deal with rising living costs, “I think it might be a good idea if we focused on the important issues facing the working families of Maine and this country.” Platner, an oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran who has not held elected office prior to his Senate run, also dealt with a separate controversy last year during which old social media posts resurfaced and reportedly showed him referring to himself as a “communist” in addition to calling white people in rural areas racist and stupid. His posts also encouraged people to not take substances to avoid being raped. Platner apologized for the posts and referred to the “disillusionment” he felt after returning to the U.S. following tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Further Reading
Graham Platner And His Wife Dismiss Reports Of His Alleged Sexting As ‘Gossip’ (Forbes)
Read more Scott Pelley Calls Bari Weiss ‘Disingenuous’ After She Defended Firing ‘60 Minutes’ Journalist
Progressive Leaders Brush Off Graham Platner’s Sexting Controversy: ‘He Has Grown’ (Forbes)
Read more David Beckham: Creating A ‘Legacy In America’ Was Behind Inter Miami Purchase