Allegations Arise Against Platner
Maine’s Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner faces new allegations from a past relationship. A report in the New York Times has outlined accusations from several of his exes. One former girlfriend accused him of physically intimidating behavior during arguments. This allegation adds to a series of stories scrutinizing Platner’s personal life as he remains a leading candidate in the Senate race in Maine.
Platner’s Response
In an interview on MS Now with Chris Hayes, Platner addressed the allegations directly. When asked if he had acted as accused, he replied, “No, it did not.” Platner emphasized that any claims of physical intimidation or abuse were false. “There are some allegations in this piece that I want to be unequivocal about, they are simply not true,” he stated.
Platner suggested that the accusations are politically motivated. Newsweek reached out to his campaign seeking more information following the interview.
Details from the Accusations
“It didn’t cause an injury, it didn’t break my arm,” said Lyndsey Fifield, one of the accusers, according to the Times.
The New York Times article reports interviews with over two dozen people, including several women who were romantically involved with Platner. Lyndsey Fifield alleged that Platner grabbed her shoulders and twisted her arm during arguments. She admitted there was no lasting physical harm. Others described Platner’s behavior as unsettling, while some former partners spoke positively of him, labeling him a “gentle giant.”
In another claim, Jenny Racicot mentioned that Platner behaved recklessly and arrived at her home intoxicated. Fifield’s background is in conservative politics, having worked for Republican campaigns and with right-leaning groups. She has denied any connection to Susan Collins’ campaign, Platner’s Republican opponent.
Ongoing Campaign Challenges
The scrutiny extends beyond relationship accusations. Platner faces controversy over sexually explicit text messages sent to women and a tattoo linked to Nazi symbolism. Platner has reiterated his commitment to the race despite these issues. During the Hayes interview, he stated the texting stopped early in his marriage.
Polling Implications
Recent polls show Platner ahead of Collins in the upcoming primary. A Public Policy Polling survey suggests Platner leads by 4 points, polling at 49 percent compared to Collins’ 45 percent, with 6 percent undecided. This survey, conducted in early June, comes after reports of the explicit messages.
A UMass Lowell/YouGov survey from last month also indicated Platner’s lead. He held 48 percent of the vote against Collins’ 43 percent, with a 4.9 percent margin of error. This shows sustained support for Platner despite controversies.