Platner’s Senate Campaign Faces Scandal
In Washington, Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has prompted his wife to speak out as he keeps mum after it was disclosed that he had a profile on the dating app Kik.
Amy Gartner, who wed Platner in 2023, spoke to the press, expressing that she felt “deeply hurt” by the campaign’s former political director who informed her about the sexting allegations.
Reports suggest that the oyster farmer engaged in sexting with as many as 12 different women.
“I’m really angry and disappointed. It’s frustrating that some are more interested in spreading rumors rather than focusing on significant issues like healthcare and education that Graham is dedicated to,” Gartner stated in a video addressing the controversy.
In a candid video released as the scandal broke, she shared that their marriage had relied on the help of three counselors and described Graham as “probably a genius.”
Interestingly, Platner himself has not made any public comments about the situation, aside from sharing a message from his wife.
“I value his laid-back nature, so news stories regarding our marriage make me feel embarrassed,” Gartner added. “Can I say that online? I hope so.”
The Wall Street Journal recently unveiled shocking details of Platner’s sexting, noting that he had an active Kik account, known for its private messaging features often used in dating.
His profile picture depicted him without a shirt, casually wrapped in a towel.
Gartner acknowledged that their marriage has encountered hardships, especially with her struggles with infertility.
“Marriage is tough, especially for newlyweds going through infertility. Tackling that alongside a Senate campaign? It’s challenging. I can’t really find the right words to convey how hard it’s been,” she reflected.
She also condemned the breach of trust from a former campaign aide who exposed Platner’s private issues.
“I shared intimate details about my marriage with someone I considered a friend,” she lamented. “Since then, I’ve had to watch her spread harmful gossip to anyone willing to listen.”
“I trusted this person with our most private moments. I’m deeply hurt by this invasion of our privacy,” she said.
“I know Graham for who he is—a good man, and I believe that will always be true,” she added.
Last year, it came to light that Platner had been featured on the Facebook forum “Are we dating the same guy?” One woman alleged that he bullied her during childhood.
Platner’s campaign has been marred by multiple scandals. Last year, it was revealed that he had a tattoo resembling the “Totenkopf,” or “Death’s Head,” symbol used by the Nazi SS. He claimed it was done while he was drunk in Croatia back in 2007, denying any knowledge of its Nazi connotations.
He later modified it with a “Celtic knot featuring a dog.”
Additionally, troubling posts from his now-deleted Reddit account have emerged. These include comments about graffiti he observed while traveling, discussions about soldiers’ actions, and controversial remarks about war and racism.
Earlier this month, he faced backlash for mocking a Purple Heart recipient who had recorded a video to showcase heroic actions under fire.
“This video never gets old. That idiot didn’t deserve to be alive. His stupidity is now recorded for future infantrymen to witness,” Platner had posted years after the footage gained attention.
Currently, he is viewed as the Democratic candidate in the Maine Senate race, leading by 7.8 percentage points over Collins, as indicated by RealClearPolitics polling data. Collins notably performed better in the 2020 election against Democrat Sara Gideon.
Maine’s Senate seat is seen as a critical opportunity for Democrats in the upcoming 2026 election cycle.
