Fox News Digital spoke to Maine residents about whether a string of scandals has changed their view of the Democratic Senate candidate ahead of Tuesday's primary.
MAINE — A new round of explosive allegations has put Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner back in the spotlight ahead of Tuesday’s primary,. voters who spoke to Fox News Digital were split on whether the scandals would affect their vote.
"It's not a good situation," said Jeff from Waterloo. Maine, one of the residents interviewed outside a shopping plaza in Biddeford, adding that choosing the "lowest common denominator" should not be the answer.
"I am a conservative,. he's just got so much baggage that I think if theDemocrats want to havea winner, they're going to have to find somebody else because he's not the guy, just too much," he said.
‘HE HATED WOMEN’: EXPLOSIVE ABUSE, NEW NAZI TATTOO ALLEGATIONS FROM EXES ROCK PLATNER'S CAMPAIGN
Maine voters spoke to Fox News Digital about Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner. the controversies surrounding his campaign ahead of Tuesday's primary.(Fox News Digital/Paul Steinhauser)
Sheila from Harrison, Maine, said the scandals would "absolutely" weigh on her vote.
She said Platner lacks the judgment andvaluesshe expects from someone serving in Congress.
"Anyone who's representing our country or representing us in Congress needs to be held to a higher standard,. I don't think he's got any standards," she said.
Just days beforeMaine's Democratic Senate primary, former girlfriends told The New York Times that Platner engaged in heavy drinking, experienced violent episodes. discussed rape fantasies, accusations Platner has denied.
DEMOCRATIC MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER CONFRONTED BY MS NOW HOST ABOUT TATTOO CONTROVERSY
Graham Platner, a U.S. Marine and Army veteran and oyster farmer, launched a Democratic run for the U.S. Senate in Maine in August.(Graham Platner Senate campaign)
The Marine Corps veteran also faced criticism over astring of controversies, including reports that he sent sexually explicit messages to younger women, a Nazi-linked tattoo. online comments mocking a Purple Heart veteran.
While some voters said Platner raised red flags, others remained unfazed.
Asked whether Platner's comments about women bothered her, Ellen from Acton, Maine, said, "When it comes to my vote, no."
SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER SENT EXPLICIT TEXTS TO MULTIPLE WOMEN WHILE MARRIED, WIFE SAYS: REPORT
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine. points to a covered tattoo that was previously recognized as a Nazi symbol during an interview in Portland, Maine, on Oct. 22, 2025.(WGME via AP)
"I trust his wife," she said. "She knows him better than anybody. He is far from perfect. Most of this, my understanding, happened during a tough time in his life. The recent accusations, yes, they're more recent, but again, I trust her to know who he is morally.
"I do think that. as a representative of Maine, aside from what he may do in his marriage, he's going to do a good job for me," she added.
Jane from Wells, Maine, said her plans to vote for Platner haven’t changed.
"I still like him," she said. "Oh yes. I love him."
Jessica from Biddeford. Maine, said she was not following the controversy surrounding Platner because she ignores the news, arguing that the media distracts people from "the issues that are important."
"We're better together as one instead of fighting each other over things that don't matter," she said.
Platner will appear on the ballot alongside David Costello. Janet Mills in Maine's Democratic Senate primary on June 9, with the winner advancing to face incumbent five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
Kiera McDonald is a Production Assistant for Fox News Digital.
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