Platner dismisses ‘establishment media’ as Democrats split over sexting controversy in Maine

The political fallout is growing for Maine Senate candidate Graham Plattner, and now he's fighting

back. The issue this round is about Plattner reportedly sending sexually explicit texts to

other women while married. Reports from the Wall Street Journal and New York Times this weekend

revealed that Plattner's campaign knew about the texts last year. The storyline followed Democrats

onto the Sunday shows. Senator Cory Booker was asked whether the story could jeopardize a seat

Democrats view as one of their best pickup opportunities in the country

Yeah, I have concerns. That guy has questions to answer and that's what campaigns are for

So much is riding on Democrats taking control of the Senate. According to the New York Times, Plattner addressed the controversy for the first time on Sunday

accusing a former campaign aide of spreading false claims and criticizing the Times and Wall

Street Journal for their reporting. But he also acknowledged his marriage has faced challenges

saying he and his wife worked through them and remained together. The couple married in 2023

The report said Plattner wife alerted campaign officials to the text last summer before the issue became public Campaign officials have confirmed the text existed and said the communications ended before Plattner launched his Senate bid Plattner wife posted a video

over the weekend defending her husband and their marriage. Our marriage counselor helps

my personal counselor helps, Graham's personal counselor helps, and we work on our mental health every day. No marriage is perfect and

I don't want a perfect marriage. I want my marriage and I want to be married to Graham

And not all Democrats share Booker's concern. Senator Chris Murphy defended Plattner on CBS

Sunday, saying the combat veteran has acknowledged his mistakes. He certainly admitted that he has

made mistakes, but I think this is going to be a pretty clear contrast in Maine between somebody

who has spent his life protecting us versus somebody who seems to be protecting Donald

Trump's corruption. Plattner is expected to face incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in

November in one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races. Republicans have quickly

turned the story into a campaign issue as Plattner prepares for the general election fight this fall