# Democrats Split on Scandal-Plagued Platner as Senate Control Hangs in Balance - URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/democrats-split-on-scandal-plagued-platner-as-senate-control-hangs-in-balance - Published: 2026-06-06T13:10:28.686919+00:00 - Topics: maine, senate, democrats, scandal, elections ## What the left says - Platner represents Democrats' best chance to defeat Susan Collins and flip a crucial Senate seat needed for majority control - His past mistakes stem from undiagnosed PTSD and alcoholism during military service, showing a journey of recovery and accountability - Republicans used similar tolerance for scandal with Trump, making it hypocritical to hold Democrats to different standards - Some allegations come from conservative operatives with clear political motivations to damage his candidacy ## What the right says - Democrats are abandoning their 'believe all women' principles and #MeToo standards when it's politically convenient - Multiple credible allegations of physical abuse, Nazi symbolism, and disturbing behavior create a pattern of disqualifying conduct - The party's willingness to overlook serious character flaws for political power mirrors the moral compromises they criticized Republicans for making - Platner's repeated denials and explanations lack credibility given the mounting evidence and witness accounts ## Common ground - The Maine Senate race is crucial for determining which party controls the Senate majority - Platner faces multiple serious allegations including domestic abuse, inappropriate messaging, and past offensive social media posts - Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about Platner's candidacy while others continue supporting him - The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday with limited time for major campaign changes ## Sources - [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/06/01/graham-platner-maine-democrats-collins-trump) (Lean Left) - [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/05/platner-democrats-maine-tuesday-primary-00952432) (Lean Left) - [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/graham-platner-faces-another-controversy-days-ahead-of-maine-senate-primary/) (Lean Left) - [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/maine-voters-divided-platner-controversies-shadow-democratic-primary) (Right) - [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/graham-platner-blasts-new-allegations-false-accusations-maine-you-have-my-back) (Right) - [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-democrats-back-platner-despite-abuse-allegations-after-demanding-accountability-kavanaugh-fight) (Right) - [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-senators-torch-scandal-plagued-platner-dems-stay-silent-candidacy) (Right) - [HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ap-us-election-2026-platner_n_6a238e8ce4b05951fb60bf23) (Left) - [Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion](https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/06/is-there-no-red-line-that-would-make-democrats-abandon-graham-platner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-there-no-red-line-that-would-make-democrats-abandon-graham-platner) (Unknown) - [National Review](https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/06/it-will-be-hard-for-democrats-to-replace-graham-platner/) (Lean Right) - [National Review](https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/06/with-graham-platner-democrats-are-playing-with-fire/) (Lean Right) - [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/graham-platner-campaign-trail-controversy-maine-rcna348703) (Lean Left) - [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/janet-mills-shows-no-sign-reigniting-maine-senate-bid-graham-platners-rcna348706) (Lean Left) - [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/jim-jordan-graham-platner-democrats/2026/06/05/id/1258726) (Right) - [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/graham-platner-maine-susan-collins/2026/06/05/id/1258720) (Right) - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/06/06/us-news/metoo-democrats-stay-mum-on-platner-sex-scandal-while-schumer-plots-damage-control/) (Lean Right) - [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/us/politics/graham-platner-maine-rally-senate.html) (Lean Left) - [PJ Media](https://pjmedia.com/david-manney/2026/06/05/democrats-keep-reaching-for-platner-because-power-comes-first-n4953649) (Unknown) - [PJ Media](https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/06/05/democrats-are-furious-with-graham-platner-now-n4953632) (Unknown) - [PJ Media](https://pjmedia.com/scott-pinsker/2026/06/05/dont-celebrate-yet-three-ways-graham-platner-survives-but-only-way-hes-doomed-n4953626) (Unknown) - [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/04/platner-democrats-furious-new-york-times-report-00951496) (Lean Left) - [RealClearPolitics](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/2026/06/06/democrats_can_do_better_platner_needs_to_drop_out_701818.html) (Center) - [RedState](https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2026/06/05/dem-reactions-to-new-platner-revelations-the-good-the-bad-and-the-really-ugly-n2203083) (Unknown) - [Slate](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/06/graham-platner-new-york-times-story-susan-collins.html?via=rss) (Lean Left) - [The Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/06/graham-platner-scandals/687440/?utm_source=feed) (Lean Left) - [The Dispatch](https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/weekly/graham-platner-maine-senate/) (Lean Right) - [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5912815-madeleine-dean-on-platner-allegations/) (Center) - [The Intercept](https://theintercept.com/2026/05/28/graham-platner-jake-auchincloss-democrats-maine-senate/) (Left) - [The Nation](https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/graham-platner-maine-senate-2/) (Left) - [Townhall](https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2026/06/06/graham-platner-is-a-mess-his-top-adviser-is-also-a-dumpster-fire-n2677301) (Right) - [Townhall](https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2026/06/06/dem-rep-graham-platner-has-disqualified-himself-from-maine-senate-race-n2677339) (Right) - [Townhall](https://townhall.com/tipsheet/jeff-charles/2026/06/05/looks-like-democrats-dont-believe-all-women-anymore-n2677324) (Right) - [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/06/05/scandals-trailing-graham-platner-maine-leave-democrats-increasingly-frustrated/) (Lean Left) --- Content by TwoTakes (https://twotakes.us). 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