Democrats in Maine are coalescing around Sen. Graham Platner, who’s facing criticism from moderates as they vie to replace retiring Rep. Jared Golden in the pro-Trump 2nd Congressional District.
Following Gov. Janet Mills’ withdrawal from the Senate race in April, the leading candidates for the House seat have endorsed Platner ahead of the June 9 primary.
Interestingly, Golden himself has not publicly backed Platner and has mentioned he doesn’t plan to engage in the Senate campaign.
Support from key figures like Maine State Comptroller Matt Dunlap and former legislative aide Jordan Wood has materialized, as has backing from Democratic state Sen. Joe Baldacci, who criticized former Gov. Paul LePage, now running independently for the Republican Senate nomination.
Though candidates have pledged support for Platner, they seem to be avoiding discussions around his controversial social media history and tattoos linked to Nazi symbols. This has led to some backlash within the party.
Fox News Digital attempted to reach Baldacci, Wood, and Dunlap’s teams for comments but did not receive any responses.
Aligning with Platner could complicate Democrats’ efforts in a district that has historically leaned Republican, especially since Golden won his last election by a narrow margin. The Cook Political Report has categorized this race as “likely Republican,” reflecting the rural district’s partisan dynamics.
Dunlap, aiming for a progressive stance, is partnering with Platner at a rally next week, which will feature Rep. Ro Khanna, a noted left-wing supporter of both men.
“With Graham Platner as the front-runner, I’m ready to back his campaign,” Dunlap stated on social media. “He’ll make an exceptional U.S. senator.”
Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders defended Platner, emphasizing the support he’s received. On the other hand, the National Republican Congressional Committee is keen to leverage Platner’s controversies to their advantage in a strongly Democratic region.
NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole remarked on the questionable judgment demonstrated by Dunlap and Baldacci in supporting Platner, cautioning that voters in Maine will take notice.
This contrasts with moderate Democrats like Sen. John Fetterman and Rep. Jake Auchincloss, who have voiced strong criticism of Platner. Auchincloss, who identifies as Jewish, called Platner’s tattoos and comments “personally disqualifying.”
As for the broader Democratic leadership, they seem to be hesitating to distance themselves or comment on Platner’s controversies.
Melissa DeRosa, formerly of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, pointed out that the divisions over Platner’s candidacy highlight a significant rift within the party. “This Maine race really exemplifies the civil war occurring in the Democratic Party,” she noted, implying that moderate Democrats might not be overly concerned about the outcome in this instance.
