Graham Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, has won the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Maine, defeating Governor Janet Mills and David Costello with 72% of the vote. The victory sets up a high-stakes general election contest against Republican incumbent Susan Collins in November.
Platner's campaign was overshadowed by a series of scandals, including reports of sexually explicit messages exchanged while married, allegations of physical abuse from an ex-girlfriend, and a tattoo later identified as a Nazi symbol. He also faced scrutiny over old Reddit posts containing homophobic slurs and dismissive comments about military sexual assault.
Addressing supporters in Blue Hill, Platner acknowledged his past mistakes, attributing them to untreated PTSD and alcohol abuse after military service. 'Redemption is not just some simple or easy destination; it's a journey,' he said. His wife, Amy Gertner, publicly defended him and appeared on stage with him on election night.
Platner framed the general election as a battle against corruption, accusing Collins of serving Donald Trump and 'the Epstein class.' The race is seen as crucial for Democrats aiming to flip the Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.
