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The growing list of controversies threatening Democrat Graham Platner’s Maine Senate bid
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Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has emerged as one of the party’s fastest-rising political figures, drawing national attention for his populist message and outsider image.
But as his profile has grown, so has scrutiny of his past conduct, with controversies ranging from sexually explicit messages and offensive social media posts to a Nazi-linked tattoo and campaign staff upheaval.
PLATNER CONTROVERSIES FUEL SPECULATION ABOUT LITTLE-KNOWN MAINE BALLOT REPLACEMENT PROVISION
In continued clean-up of those scandals, Platner came to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to huddle with party figures at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headquarters just one week before his primary election.
The Marine veteran and oyster farmer has defended himself against the criticism and retained the support of prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Still, some have questioned whether the allegations could complicate Democrats’ efforts to unseat Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.
Here’s a look at the major controversies that have engulfed Platner’s campaign.
Explicit text messages and sexting allegations
Senate candidate Graham Platner is under fire, but it was his wife Amy Gertner coming out with a controversial five-minute social media post by the campaign to denounce the ‘attacks’ while she did not deny the allegations of infidelity in a new marriage. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The most recent controversy surrounding Platner stems from reports that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with multiple women during his marriage, an issue that campaign aides were reportedly aware of as his Senate bid was taking shape.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, informed a campaign aide about the text exchanges shortly after he launched his Senate bid as staffers were assessing potential political liabilities.
According to the report, Gertner discovered the messages months after the couple married in 2024 and disclosed their existence before her husband held a campaign rally alongside progressive Sen. Sanders. The campaign told Politico that the aide viewed the matter as a private issue between the couple and did not raise concerns about it publicly.
SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER SENT EXPLICIT TEXTS TO MULTIPLE WOMEN WHILE MARRIED, WIFE SAYS: REPORT
Platner’s campaign later confirmed the existence of the text exchanges to Politico.
He also told Fox News Digital in a statement: «Amy and I went through something hard — because of me. We did the work, and I’m grateful for her every hour of every day.»
«I’ve learned throughout this campaign is that people don’t care about gossip or headlines, they care that you’re fighting for their hospitals, their paycheck, their kids… Our opponents want politics to be empty of content and empty of actual change — and beating that is exactly what our movement is about,» he added.
In a statement to the Journal, Gertner criticized the disclosure of the information, saying she had shared «deeply personal details» about her marriage with someone she considered a friend, only to see those details become public.
She revealed that the two attended couple’s counseling, worked through the issues in their marriage and have since emerged as a stronger couple.
«I know who Graham is. I know the man I married and the husband he has been to me on the best and the worst days of my life,» Gertner said. «That hasn’t changed, and it won’t.»
Nazi-linked tattoo
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, points to a covered tattoo that was previously recognized as a Nazi symbol during an interview in Portland, Maine, on Oct. 22, 2025. (WGME via AP)
Platner’s campaign also faced intense scrutiny after it was revealed he once had a skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest closely resembling the «Totenkopf» symbol used by Hitler’s SS paramilitary forces.
The Maine Democrat said he got the tattoo during a «night of drinking» while on leave in Croatia in 2007 as a Marine and claimed he was entirely unaware of its meaning at the time.
In an Instagram video posted in May, Platner elaborated on the tattoo’s origins. He explained that he merely selected the design from a flash tattoo wall while «carousing» with fellow Marines in Split, Croatia.
«We thought it looked cool,» he downplayed.
Platner said he was later «appalled» to learn the image resembled a Nazi symbol, arguing that his life and career have been defined by opposition to fascism, racism and Nazism. He also noted that he was never questioned about the tattoo during his military service.
MAINE DEM SENATE HOPEFUL BACKED BY BERNIE SANDERS APOLOGIZES FOR NAZI-STYLE TATTOO, VOWS TO STAY IN RACE
Rather than undergo removal, Platner said he chose to cover the tattoo because tattoo removal services were not readily available near his rural Maine home.
«Going to a tattoo removal place is going to take a while,» he told The Associated Press. «I wanted this thing off my body.»
The symbol was ultimately covered with a tattoo featuring a Celtic knot and images of dogs, which Platner said were meant to honor his family pets.
Deleted Reddit posts reveal offensive comments
U.S. Senate candidate from Maine Graham Platner speaks during a campaign event on May 17, 2026, in Portland, Maine. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The keystone scrutiny Platner has faced during his bid stemmed from thousands of now-deleted Reddit posts that resurfaced after he launched his Senate campaign.
In posts first reported by CNN and Politico, Platner referred to himself as a «communist» and «socialist» and endorsed the slogan «all cops are b—–ds.»
In other posts, he argued that those who «expect to fight fascism without a good semi-automatic rifle, they ought to do some reading of history» and said that «an armed working class is a requirement for economic justice.»
DELETED POSTS URGING VIOLENCE HAUNT DEMOCRATIC SENATE HOPEFUL IN MAINE RACE
The posts under his since-retired username «P-hustle» were deleted before Platner announced his Democratic Senate bid in August.
The candidate has since addressed the posts multiple times, telling CNN and Politico that he was «f—ing around on the internet» during a period when he felt «lost and very disillusioned with our government who sent me overseas to watch my friends die.»
«I made dumb jokes and picked fights,» Platner said. «But of course I’m not a socialist. I’m a small business owner, a Marine Corps veteran, and a retired s—poster.»
In the posts Platner made crude comments about masturbating in port-a-potties and claimed a U.S. service member who took enemy fire in Afghanistan «didn’t deserve to live.»
GRAHAM PLATNER VOWS TO ‘COME AFTER’ BEZOS AS SENATE HOPEFUL ESCALATES BILLIONAIRE TAX FIGHT
The controversies have done little to erode Platner’s standing within the Democratic Party as he has continued to attract national attention and grassroots support in the Democratic primary bid to challenge Sen. Collins for her seat.
Since former Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills halted her campaign in April, much of the party establishment has consolidated behind Platner, and national Democrats have continued to support his candidacy despite the flurry of scandals.
The steady stream of allegations and past controversies has also drawn attention to a little-known provision in Maine election law that allows political parties to replace a nominee under certain circumstances after a primary election.
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Under state law, a candidate who wins a primary and subsequently withdraws by 5 p.m. on July 13 can be replaced by a nominee selected by party officials. Any replacement candidate must then be chosen by 5 p.m. on July 27.
There is currently no indication that Platner plans to withdraw from the race, and the Democratic hopeful has repeatedly vowed to continue his campaign. Still, the provision has drawn renewed interest as questions persist about whether additional revelations could complicate his candidacy.
Platner’s campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
midterm elections, politics, campaigning, maine, bernie sanders, democrats senate
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Los precios del petróleo suben ante la preocupación por los planes de reapertura del estrecho de Ormuz
El precio del petróleo subió este viernes en medio de nuevas preocupaciones por la apertura del estrecho de Ormuz, luego de que Irán, en coordinación con Omán, propusiera prohibir el paso de buques considerados hostiles y aplicar fuertes multas a quienes violen las reglas propuestas. El régimen persa mantiene un cierre de facto de la vía marítima estratégica desde el 28 de febrero de 2026.
Los futuros del crudo Brent, de referencia europea, ascendieron 80 centavos, o 0,97%, hasta 83,29 dólares el barril, mientras que el West Texas Intermediate (WTI) de Estados Unidos subió 64 centavos, o 0,83%, hasta 77,93 dólares.
El jueves, los futuros del petróleo cerraron con un alza superior a los 3 dólares por barril después de que Irán analizara un proyecto de ley para prohibir el paso de buques estadounidenses e israelíes por el estrecho de Ormuz, canal donde transitaba cerca de una quinta parte del petróleo y gas natural licuado mundial antes del inicio de la guerra en Medio Oriente a fines de febrero.
Los precios habían caído a principios de semana ante la posibilidad de una solución al conflicto, pero el Brent superó los 80 dólares el jueves tras haber caído por debajo de ese umbral por primera vez desde el 13 de julio. Ambos referenciales se encaminan a cerrar la semana con una caída cercana al 8%.
Las tensiones entre Irán y Estados Unidos mantienen la atención del mercado energético tras la presentación de un borrador de plan iraní que propone restringir el tránsito por el estrecho de Ormuz.
Analistas coinciden en que las hostilidades entre ambos países persisten. Lin Ye, vicepresidente de mercados de materias primas y petróleo en Rystad Energy, explicó que la reciente reacción de los precios del petróleo está vinculada a la difusión del plan iraní. “El detonante inmediato es más específico, está reaccionando al plan publicado por Irán para las condiciones de tránsito en Ormuz, que prohibiría buques estadounidenses e israelíes y exigiría a otros países ‘hostiles’ pagar compensaciones antes del paso”, declaró Ye en diálogo con Reuters. El ejecutivo remarcó: “Eso no es el mercado descontando un mal acuerdo, es la confirmación de que lo que surja será un corredor gestionado o condicional, no una restauración del flujo normal”.
Un legislador iraní informó que una comisión parlamentaria evalúa un proyecto preliminar que prohíbe el tránsito de barcos estadounidenses, israelíes y de otras naciones consideradas hostiles por el Parlamento de Irán. Este proyecto prevé multas de hasta el 20% del valor de la carga para quienes violen estas restricciones, informó la agencia Fars.
Según un alto funcionario iraní, Irán aspira a cobrar tarifas de entre el 5% y el 7% del precio de las cargas a los buques que utilicen el estrecho. Por su parte, Omán discute fijar tarifas cercanas al 3%, mientras que Washington rechaza cualquier tipo de cobro. Cuatro fuentes del sector consultadas por Reuters advirtieron que el acuerdo propuesto enfrenta dificultades de implementación debido a las sanciones de Estados Unidos y a las cláusulas restrictivas de seguros sobre cualquier pago.
Vandana Hari, fundadora de la consultora Vanda Insights, afirmó que “las señales de esta semana sobre un posible acuerdo de tránsito Irán-Omán han causado oscilaciones en la percepción del mercado, pero hasta ahora dejan sin claridad qué condiciones se necesitan para concretar el entendimiento”.
En paralelo, los hutíes de Yemen informaron sobre ataques con misiles y drones contra “despliegues sauditas” en las regiones de Marib y Hadramout, según reportó Reuters. El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, declaró el jueves ante periodistas que considera que “la guerra terminará pronto”.
(Con información Reuters)
Europe
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U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., cruised to victory in a GOP primary on Thursday evening in a race to replace outgoing Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
With the nomination in tow, Blackburn is likely to become the next governor in the Volunteer State — a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to its top executive role since 2006.
Lee, who has served in the role since 2019, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. He last won reelection in a 64.9% to 32.9% victory over Democratic challenger Jason Martin, a businessman and doctor.
DEMS RALLY AROUND BEST HOPE TO DEFEND GOVERNOR’S MANSION FROM GOP TAKEOVER
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee is running for governor in the 2026 race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Bill Lee. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Notably, Lee did not endorse anyone in the three-way Republican race for the 2026 nomination but noted that he had a close relationship with Blackburn when she announced her candidacy.
«I’ve been friends with Marsha for a long time, and she served as my congressman and representative in the General Assembly. I’m proud we have really good people running for governor in this state,» Lee told local outlets.
Blackburn, for her own part, promised to continue focusing on issues that Republicans have made centerpieces to the GOP platform in Washington, D.C.
She highlighted immigration as one such issue.
«As governor, I’ll deport illegals, stop the flow of drugs and drug money. We will crack down on Cartels, restrict cash transfers to drug havens and hit criminals and illegals where it hurts — in their wallets,» Blackburn said in a campaign video.
Blackburn also promised to prevent China from buying up Tennessee land, punctuating her commitment with a viral ad where she crushed a fortune cookie.
«It doesn’t take a fortune cookie to figure it out. Here in Tennessee we’re going to stop communist China and protect Tennessee land,» she remarked.
President Donald Trump also did not issue an endorsement in the race, saying that he had ties to one of Blackburn’s challengers: Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn.
TRUMP MAY HAVE ENDORSED DARLINE GRAHAM, BUT GOP SENATE HOPEFULS AREN’T BACKING DOWN
Sen. Marsha Blackburn walks out of the Senate Chambers during a vote at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on October 27. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Rose, an 8th-generation farmer and the millionaire founder of Transcender Corp., an IT certification company, has served in the Tennessee legislature since 2019. In his gubernatorial campaign, he pitched himself as a homegrown candidate focused on local solutions to local problems.
«I know that anything is achievable in Tennessee because I have lived it. Now, I’m asking for you to give me the chance to bring opportunity to all Tennesseans,» Rose said in a campaign video.
On his website, Rose highlighted five key areas of focus, including education, infrastructure, healthcare, energy and economic and community development.
A third candidate, State Rep. Monty Fritts, had run on a more aggressive, small-government platform.
«My number one priority is leaving more money in your pockets, in your purses and in your country bankrolls rather than sending it to Nashville,» Fritts said in a campaign video.
On his website, Fritts touted positions like shrinking the size of Tennessee’s budget, protecting citizen rights against encroaching government power and increasing parent input in education.
Fritts attracted controversy earlier this year when, as part of his campaign, he called for a ban on mosques and other «pagan religions.»
5 MEXICAN CARTEL BOSSES CHARGED IN WEAPONS, DRUG TRAFFICKING, TIMESHARE FRAUD SCHEMES, DOJ SAYS
State Capitol Building Nashville Tennessee USA. (Photo by: Andrew Woodley/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) (Andrew Woodley/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
«Islam is a little different story than perhaps other religions are, in that it’s not necessarily a religion; it’s a political movement,» Fritts said. «It’s that movement that, if you don’t submit, perhaps you are executed. I feel that Islam is incongruent with both our U.S. and Tennessee Constitution,» Fritts told local outlets.
Having cleared the primary, Blackburn will run in the state’s general election on Nov. 3 against her Democratic opponent, Memphis City Councilwoman and Chief Public Defender Jerri Green.
gubernatorial, tennessee, politics
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