Karen Heck, the former mayor of Waterville, Maine, has stood by Senate Democratic candidate Graham Platner through a storm of controversies. First, there was the tattoo—a skull and crossbones that critics likened to a Nazi symbol. Then, old Reddit posts surfaced where Platner questioned why Black people don’t tip and labeled rural White Americans as racist and stupid. He’s since covered the ink and apologized, citing mental health struggles after military service.
Now, as the June 9 primary approaches, a new wave of reports has emerged: Platner allegedly exchanged sexual messages with several women outside his marriage. Yet Heck, 74, remains unwavering. She plans to vote for him, convinced his opponents are targeting his character because they fear his populist economic platform.
“Whatever happened between Graham and Amy is personal business,” Heck said, referring to Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner. “They can’t attack his policies because they’re popular, so they’re going to attack him over and over again.”
Political analysts in Maine agree: despite the onslaught, Platner, an oyster farmer and political newcomer, is still poised to win the Democratic nomination. He holds a commanding lead in the polls, with no major opponents actively campaigning against him. But the string of embarrassing revelations may slow his momentum against Republican Senator Susan Collins in a race that could tip the balance of the U.S. Senate.
Maine has voted against Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections, but Collins, a moderate, has proven resilient, winning five terms. This year, Democrats see her seat as a key target in their bid to flip four GOP seats and reclaim the Senate.
Governor Janet Mills, 78, was initially the presumed favorite, backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. But her campaign struggled as voters sought younger, bolder leadership. Platner, 41, tapped into that hunger, offering a Bernie Sanders-style vision despite zero political experience. With Platner leading Mills 64% to 26% in the polls and outraising her by over $6 million, Mills suspended her campaign in April.
“He has a prohibitive lead in the polls,” said Jim Melcher, a political science professor at the University of Maine, Farmington. “There’s every reason to think he will still win.”
Early voting began in mid-May, and Democratic turnout has been high, with many ballots likely already cast for Platner. Still, election-day voters could tip the scales, especially those leaning toward Mills or seeking a protest candidate. Avoiding a ranked-choice runoff is Platner’s lowest bar, noted University of Maine professor Mark Brewer.
But Amy Fried, a professor emeritus at the University of Maine, warned that past sex scandals suggest more revelations could surface. “We could see the words Platner shared and any images,” she wrote on Substack. “We might hear from the women involved.”
On June 4, The New York Times published interviews with women who dated Platner, with one describing his behavior as “unsettling” and another calling him “toxic.” Platner denies any allegations of physical misconduct.
Despite the turmoil, Platner’s campaign reported some of its strongest fundraising in the days following the sexting news. Heck remains steadfast: “I want those policies—universal health care, fair taxation, ending wars. I don’t fear that Graham’s integrity will change.”
Brewer noted that in the past, such scandals might have been disqualifying. But in the era of Donald Trump, who has faced multiple sexual assault allegations and was recorded boasting about grabbing women, the rules have shifted. “Trump has changed the standards of what’s acceptable,” Brewer said.
Platner’s supporters, like Trump’s, are “ironclad,” Melcher added, drawn to his outsider status and willingness to take on the establishment. If a tipping point comes, Maine law allows a candidate to withdraw by the second Monday in July, but Platner has shown no signs of stepping down.
“Since this campaign launched, we have been deeply humbled by the support,” said Ben Chin, Platner’s campaign manager. “Mainers know Graham, and they believe in what this campaign is fighting for.”
Collins, who did not respond to a request for comment, told CBS 13 she was “troubled” by the allegations. Polls before the sexting reports showed Platner leading Collins by single digits, but midterm dynamics could favor Democrats, especially with Trump’s low approval ratings.
“Time heals all wounds,” said Andy Smith, director of the UNH Survey Center. As partisanship ramps up, voters may return to their base. But older women, a key demographic, could be swayed by the latest revelations.
Heck, however, isn’t wavering. “Susan Collins is a disaster for the state,” she said. “If people look at the bigger picture, the momentum will stay.”
