# Are there any reasons to reject Graham Platner in Maine (campaign suspended July 8, 2026) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 4, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179 "2026-03-04T03:50:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 67
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1323 "2026-06-17T03:31:42Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D) endorsed Janet Mills as well. Not for this current Senate race. > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > As Senate Minority Leader it could be argued Schumer is the leader of Senate Democrats don’t you think? He is a big endorsement, sure. But discounting Jeffries, it is about even. Mind you, I see your points, but I dont think the difference was that large. Note that Biden, Obama, etc stayed out of it, afaik. > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > And just to be extra clear, Mills would have been a terrible candidate and would have almost certainly lost to Collins. My hope is that Platner, warts and all (including former tattoos), will win. You are right about Mills, and i hope you are right about Platner. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1324 "2026-06-27T09:45:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Repeating it over and over again like it’s the most amazing political zinger since “Where’s the beef?” doesn’t seem like it’s going to change anyone’s mind at this point, I don’t agree with @Babale on this topic but ISTM they are using “The Boy with the Nazi Tattoo” as a _name_ for Platner and that’s why they repeat it so much. Even though I don’t like it, I think it’s an acceptable conversational gambit. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1325 "2026-06-27T10:16:56Z")
An even better name for Platner is Platner. Fetch is just not going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1326 "2026-06-27T10:21:30Z")
shit. I just noticed that this thread had pretty much wound down before my very late post tonight. oh well. 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1327 "2026-06-27T21:55:18Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > I just noticed that this thread had pretty much wound down before my very late post tonight. oh well. It’s bound to become more active the closer we get to October, and whatever October Surprise will be unveiled. There’s zero chance that _Platner versus Collins_ will move smoothly and without Sensational Revelations to the November election. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1328 "2026-06-27T21:58:23Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > It’s bound to become more active the closer we get to October, and whatever October Surprise will be unveiled. > > There’s zero chance that _Platner versus Collins_ will move smoothly and without Sensational Revelations to the November election. Yep, the MAGAs are saving up a bunch of lies, half-truths and irrelevancies for October. Not just here, but in Texas also. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1329 "2026-06-27T22:00:02Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yep, the MAGAs are saving up a bunch of lies, half-truths and irrelevancies for October. Those too, but in this case, full truths and relevancies are likely to be enough. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1330 "2026-06-27T22:00:17Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Not just here, but in Texas also. Absolutely. Talarico has them shaking in their smelly little boots. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1331 "2026-06-27T22:49:50Z")
Truth, lies… Something nasty will come out in October, and we won’t have time to know how truthful it is. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1332 "2026-06-27T23:11:49Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > It’s bound to become more active the closer we get to October, and whatever October Surprise will be unveiled. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > Something nasty will come out in October > [@Babale](#): > > , I wouldn’t be surprised if we see an October Surprise Yall seem to be awful sure about this for no good reason. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1333 "2026-06-28T01:10:01Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Yall seem to be awful sure about this for no good reason. Because it has already started. And the GOP cant afford to lose a couple of Senate seats. Look at the weird fucking lies Paxton is saying about Talarico, go to Politifact, or I posted them in another thread here in P&E. > **[The Senate: The Race for the Majority is Not a Toss-up, But the Races That...](https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/the-senate-the-race-for-the-majority-is-not-a-toss-up-but-the-races-that-will-decide-it-are/)** > > We are making three Senate rating changes this week, all in favor of Democrats. North Carolina moves to Leans Democratic, and Alaska and Ohio are now Toss-ups. > Platner survived and even thrived amidst a string of negative stories that began last fall, including both the revelation of a skull and crossbones tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol as well as many controversial Reddit posts. Throughout it all, Platner captured the minds of Maine Democrats to such an extent that he crowded out Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), a late entrant who never seemed all that enthusiastic about running. Mills dropped out well in advance of Tuesday’s primary as it became clear she would not beat Platner; her name remained on the ballot, and she got nearly 20% of the vote, which accounted for most of the “protest” vote against Platner. Ultimately, Platner is probably going to end up with about the same share of the vote as 2020 Maine Democratic Senate nominee Sara Gideon won in her own, lightly opposed primary. > > More recently, [new reporting](https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/graham-platners-wife-flagged-sexually-explicit-texts-to-his-senate-campaign-628ec832) emerged about Platner sending sexual text messages after being married as well as a _New York Times_ [report](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/politics/platner-maine-senate-girlfriends-relationships.html) about “unsettling” behavior by Platner in past relationships. Beyond what’s already been reported, it seems likely that there will be more negative stories to come about Platner: If Republicans have found additional dirt on Platner that has not yet been reported, they may very well be holding onto it until mid-July, the deadline for Platner to drop out in time to be replaced by another Democrat. To Democrats who’d like to see Platner drop out, the recent reporting may be the “worst of both worlds”: the stories are arguably not bad enough to implore prominent Democrats to ask Platner to leave the race—indeed, few have—but they are potentially damaging enough to keep him on the defensive. > > Collins may be more beatable than ever: Her own [favorability](https://www.uml.edu/news/press-releases/2026/06042026-maine-senate-poll.aspx) is [weak](https://21701012.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21701012/20260520%2069th%20PAR%20Omnibus%20Poll%20May%202026.pdf), and she’s only [tied](https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019e-95c1-d71f-a5df-97e7612c0000&nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=28dd2567-1dde-421b-a770-8c29b8ac0ac9) with Platner in her own recently released internal polling. Note two lines- > including both the revelation of a skull and crossbones tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol > Beyond what’s already been reported, it seems likely that there will be more negative stories to come about Platner ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1334 "2026-06-28T01:17:50Z")
Race is a long way off but controversy is fresh in the mind. Most recent polling I can find shows it close with Platner ahead. > **[Maine Senate Poll — June 2026 - Wick](https://wickhq.ai/blog-maine-2026-senate-race-poll)** > > The survey of 1,008 likely Maine voters finds a statistically close contest between incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Graham Platner, while revealing significant divides by age, gender, and party affiliation. Women prefer Platner. Independents prefer Platner. But it is tight. Platner has to get the focus on Collins as the Trump toadie she is and him as a change agent. Her team is going to keep hammering on all the stuff of this thread but my WAG is that such is as baked in at this point as it is going to get. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1335 "2026-06-28T01:18:27Z")
There are at least three things that could sink Platner, that are just waiting to drop: 1: He definitely had a Nazi tattoo, and only covered it up within the past year. If people can be convinced that he knew about it years ago and chose not to get rid of it then, that’s a big deal. 2: He’s on full VA disability, but is still working, apparently without impediment. If it comes out that his disability status is fraudulent, that’s a big deal. 3: He was sexting with people on a platform that’s almost all minors. If it comes out that any of the people he was sexting with, or even trying to sext with, were minors, that’s also a big deal. Please note that any of these three things might actually be true. In fact, the weight of the evidence is that all three are probably true. Republicans aren’t like the knaves in logic puzzles, always obligated to lie, no matter what. They can tell the truth, too, if it serves their purposes. And it seems very likely that it will, here. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1336 "2026-06-28T01:31:59Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > 2: He’s on full VA disability, but is still working, apparently without impediment. Which is totally legal, and other members of Congress do the same thing. PTSD is a very real issue, and sure you can be a politician or a fisherman, but not a soldier. If his Disability was an issue, i think we can agree agree that the trump administration would be all over it. And afaik the only one who has suggested this is _one poster here._ Who keeps posting that even after cites and other posters have proven him wrong. > [@Chronos](#): > > He was sexting with people on a platform that’s almost all minors. In theory Kik is 18+ only. But yes, until recently, their age verification system was poor. We have no idea what % of the platform is actually minors. But the sexting was by text, and his wife has no issues with it. So yeah, Platner was sexting and yes he joined a Platform for dating? that had poor age verification. So, like I said- half truths. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1337 "2026-06-28T01:47:29Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There are at least three things that could sink Platner, that are just waiting to drop: All three of those things “dropped” before Mills quit the race. It didn’t sink him. I don’t buy the idea that there’s some even bigger worse secret that the Republicans have and are keeping to themselves. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1338 "2026-06-28T02:00:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I don’t buy the idea that there’s some even bigger worse secret that the Republicans have and are keeping to themselves. You may be right, but some posters and the article I posted disagree. _We shall see._ Now, I am sure more crap will come out, but I agree, maybe nothing “bigger worse secret”. I can foresee with nigh positiveness that Paxton has more shit to say about Talarico, but so far Paxtons claims havent even been sane. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1339 "2026-06-28T02:59:04Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > There are at least three things that could sink Platner, that are just waiting to drop: > > All three of those things “dropped” before Mills quit the race. It didn’t sink him. I don’t buy the idea that there’s some even bigger worse secret that the Republicans have and are keeping to themselves. I think you’re forgetting something, and actually did a disservice by @puzzlegal by snipping her quote earlier, which I’ll re-do here: > [@puzzlegal](#): > > Truth, lies… Something nasty will come out in October, and we won’t have time to know how truthful it is. Specifically, that it’s likely there will be an “October Surprise”, possibly true or even “Jedi-True”, but it may also be all-but-entirely _fabricated_ as well. And that the base will eat it up, independents worried, and who knows if the truth will reach anyone in time to change minds. Please note how different this was than you snip when dismissing a possible October Surprise. [this is the snip @Smapti quoted [upthread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine/1028179/1332) to be clear, just for comparison purposes ] > [@puzzlegal](#): > > Something nasty will come out in October Big difference. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1340 "2026-06-28T03:14:18Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Specifically, that it’s likely there will be an “October Surprise”, possibly true or even “Jedi-True”, but it may also be all-but-entirely _fabricated_ as well. And that the base will eat it up, independents worried, and who knows if the truth will reach anyone in time to change minds. They haven’t “eaten up” any of the allegations against him so far. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1341 "2026-06-28T03:23:49Z")
Which is why I didn’t say anything about the results of the Primary. But whipping up their (MAGA) base to vote, or driving off any low information or possible undecided voters in the _general_ election is what we’re looking at in terms of the Surprise. MAGA tends to lie about _inconsequential_ things, much less ones that could possibly cut their power. Or heck, just reducing the number of Democrat voters who want no part of supporting a person that does/supports XYZ and just don’t bother to show up. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1342 "2026-06-28T03:55:31Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > They haven’t “eaten up” any of the allegations against him so far. The poll I cited demonstrates an impact. He has lost a few points of his lead. His unfavorable rating went up. Collins is judged as more moral. Where it goes from here know one really knows I seems to recall the biggest hit from controversy reveals is in the first week or two while it is fresh news in the cycle. I’d expect his numbers to climb back up to higher single digits in a month as the race settles more into Trump supporting and status quo or against the Trump ally and voting for change with a new generation. But we will see! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179.md?page=66) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179.md?page=68)