Morris Katz, the 27-year-old strategist behind the failed Senate campaign of Graham Platner, has been quietly courting Labour MPs in the UK, urging them to adopt his 'rugged Democrat' approach. Katz, who engineered Platner's rise and fall, met with Labour figures earlier this year to sell his strategy of promoting blue-collar candidates with a 'regular joe' image.
Platner's Collapse
Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate for Maine, withdrew from the race on Wednesday evening, citing a conspiracy of 'nefarious forces' and the political establishment. In reality, his campaign crumbled under a series of scandals, culminating in sexual assault allegations, which he denies. Prior to that, questions had emerged about a Nazi-style skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest, which he claimed he did not understand and had covered up. Text messages allegedly sent to women other than his wife, reported by his spouse, and three ex-girlfriends who told the New York Times about 'toxic' or volatile behavior, including an allegation that he pulled one from a taxi, further damaged his candidacy.
Katz's Role and Track Record
Katz, best known for his work on Zohran Mamdani's successful New York campaign, hand-picked Platner after a single cup of coffee and minimal background checks. He also advised John Fetterman's Senate campaign, but Fetterman has since become a frequent defender of Donald Trump on Fox News rather than a standard-bearer for Democratic policies. A Democratic insider criticized Katz's approach, stating: 'Just don’t believe this whole “dirt bag Democrats” concept. It's demeaning to actual working class people that lefty elites prop up people like Graham Platner because they think putting up candidates with poor character is reflective of working class preferences – it’s not!'
UK Outreach
Katz's meetings with Labour MPs have raised concerns about the potential influence of his strategy in British politics. His pitch, which emphasizes authenticity and a working-class appeal, has been compelling on the surface, but his candidates' track record of scandal and failure suggests a flawed approach. The Platner case, in particular, highlights the risks of prioritizing image over vetting and character.
