Senator Cory Booker expressed concerns on Sunday regarding the candidacy of Graham Platner, the leading Democratic candidate for a Senate seat in Maine. Recent revelations indicate that Mr. Platner has exchanged sexual messages with women outside his marriage, raising potential issues for his campaign.
During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Mr. Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, acknowledged his worries about Mr. Platner’s controversial personal history. When asked if these issues could affect the Democrats’ chances in a key Senate race, he said, “Yeah, I have concerns. That guy has questions to answer. And that’s what campaigns are for.”
Mr. Booker emphasized the importance of Democrats gaining control of the Senate, stating that a check was needed on what he described as an “out-of-control president” affecting health care, child care, and gas prices.
Mr. Platner has been running a passionate progressive campaign in Maine, which has gained momentum. However, his previous inflammatory online statements about women and other topics have heightened concerns among Democrats about his candidacy.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged that Mr. Platner’s wife had informed his campaign about his interactions with other women. This news was quickly utilized by Senate Republicans, who began circulating the reports and criticizing Mr. Platner.
Among Democrats, Senator Booker, once a presidential candidate and a possible contender for 2028, was notably uneasy. Despite the turmoil, Mr. Platner’s campaign has not yet responded to Mr. Booker’s remarks.
Fellow New Jersey Democrat Senator Andy Kim stated he was not concentrating on the Maine race and had never met Mr. Platner. On CNN’s “State of the Union,” he said, “I will work with whoever the people of Maine elect, but I hope that they elect somebody that is going to stand up to this president.”