Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Graham Platner sexting scandal divides Democratic Party

Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic Senate nominee in Maine challenging Republican incumbent Susan Collins, is facing a sexting scandal after reports emerged that he sent sexually explicit text messages to multiple women after his 2023 marriage. Several prominent Senate Democrats have rallied behind Platner, deflecting questions about his conduct by pivoting to economic issues and the race against Collins. The scandal has exposed divisions within the Democratic Party, with some figures offering qualified support while others, like Sunny Hostin, openly criticized his character while still backing his candidacy.