As Graham Platner returned to the campaign trail in Bar Harbor, Maine, he indirectly addressed new allegations from three women who accused him of ‘toxic’ and ‘unsettling’ behavior. Despite the negative attention, Platner received strong support from his followers, with several standing ovations. At a point, his supporters chanted the name of his wife, Amy Gertner, as he acknowledged her support.
During his speech, Platner highlighted Maine as a source of strength for him. He shared his personal journey through PTSD and the darkness associated with recovery and growth. Platner stated, ‘Since the beginning, Maine, you had my back,’ and expressed gratitude to the state for its support during challenging times.
The allegations against Platner were detailed in a New York Times article, which described unsettling experiences shared by former girlfriends. One woman, Lyndsey Fifield, recounted incidents from their relationship between 2013 and 2015, including a claim that Platner twisted her arm and forced her to stay in a room until she ‘calmed down.’ Fifield has ties to conservative groups, and Platner suggested some allegations were politically motivated and false.
Platner, a former military veteran, discussed overcoming PTSD after his service tours. During the event, Platner emphasized his commitment to Maine, saying, ‘The state of Maine raised me and saved me. Maine, I will always have your back.’ His wife, Amy, was asked to stand, receiving a standing ovation and chants of ‘Amy!’. She defended her husband after it came to light that sexually explicit text messages had been sent by Platner during their marriage.
Platner did not address reporters but participated in local interviews, denying allegations of physical threats. In an interview with MS NOW, he contested claims from The New York Times piece, asserting that they were politically motivated falsehoods.
Seeking to shift focus from his personal life, Platner concentrated on the campaign against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, describing her moderate image as a ‘charade.’ He criticized Collins for her support of Brett Kavanaugh, accusing her of either lying or being naive about Kavanaugh’s intentions regarding women’s rights and voting rights.
Several supporters at Platner’s event voiced their continued backing despite allegations. Janice Low, among those present, expressed her intention to vote for Platner. Her dissatisfaction with the war in Iran and Collins’ alignment with President Trump reinforced her decision. Galen Low, Janice’s husband, mentioned Platner’s growth beyond the accusations, recognizing human fallibility and the potential for change.
State Rep. Gary Friedmann attended and praised Platner’s speech, noting that Mainers are grounded and recognize past mistakes. Friedmann expressed his belief that Platner’s commitment to the people surpasses that of Sen. Collins.
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