The Democratic campaign strategist who has been in the spotlight lately for managing Graham Platner’s sexting controversy has a history of provocative publications. This includes remarks about sending and receiving “nudes” and a footnote in a boy’s puberty guide discussing images of male anatomy.
Maurice Katz, a rising Democratic strategist from New York credited with Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s surprising electoral victory last year, made headlines in 2019 when he acknowledged having both “sent” and “received” nudes during a prior scandal. In a guide for boys published in 2020, he amusingly stated that he had thought about including “images of my penis” but was advised against it by the publisher.
Recently, the Maine Republican Party has taken issue with Katz’s past writings, especially as he is attempting to mitigate the fallout from Platner’s explicit messaging scandal involving multiple women during the early days of his marriage. The controversy has sparked discussions about the Kik app, which is under fire for safety concerns.
The situation has not gone unnoticed by Maine Republicans, who see Katz’s previous comments as adding complexity to Platner’s already troubled campaign, which has been marred with questions about the candidate’s judgment.
Jason Savage, director of the Maine Republican Party, described the alignment of Platner and Katz as “some kind of bizarre horror story,” implying that both seem unaware of basic decency. He criticized Katz for his judgment, suggesting that any inclination to blackmail is a major red flag.
One anonymous Republican strategist from rural Maine expressed concerns that Katz’s involvement indicates that national progressive operatives are testing strategies in Maine, potentially undermining the support that incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins has provided to local communities.
This particular strategist characterized Katz as an outsider with an air of arrogance, suggesting that he’s capitalizing on Platner, who is already perceived to be struggling. This outsider’s approach could detract from Collins’ ongoing efforts in the state, they argued.
Platner’s campaign has faced backlash since his emergence as a progressive challenger against Senator Collins. Various allegations have surfaced, including accusations of abusive behavior towards an ex-girlfriend and explicit messaging with multiple women during his marriage. His wife reportedly disclosed these messages in an internal campaign review, though the campaign maintains this is a private matter.
The controversy surrounding Platner escalated when details emerged about his active Kik profile, criticized for its association with child safety issues. Images from this profile have led to ridicule from Republican staffers.
Furthermore, Platner faced backlash over tattoos that some found to be associated with Nazis—tattoos he claimed he didn’t realize had such connotations. He has since apologized for past inflammatory comments on various sensitive topics, stating that they reflect an earlier, darker phase of his life post-military service.
Most recently, Platner dismissed allegations from a former girlfriend, describing them as politically charged. His campaign asserts that opponents are fixating on personal controversies rather than substantive policy discussions relevant to Maine voters.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from Katz, Platner’s campaign, and other involved parties.
